Theresa Hoover
Theresa Hoover is a music educator, speaker, and writer. She is an advocate for student voice in the music room and helps teachers empower students throughout their musical experiences by transforming their classrooms into student-centered learning environments.
Theresa is currently working towards a PhD in Music Learning and Teaching at Arizona State University, where she teaches undergraduate music education classes. She has taught instrumental, general, and vocal music in a variety of settings, most recently teaching middle school band in Northern Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Penn State University and a master’s degree in wind conducting from West Chester University, both in Pennsylvania. Theresa was the founding director of the Chester County Youth Wind Ensemble and has been the guest conductor for several elementary and middle school ensembles in Pennsylvania and Virginia. She also served as a brass, percussion, and technology advisor for the Virginia Winds Academy.
Theresa is a recognized presenter and clinician at local, regional, and national level conferences. She is a Google for Education Certified Trainer, Google Certified Innovator, and Noteflight Learn Ambassador, frequently working with teachers to help integrate technology into their music classes. Theresa also works as an adjunct professor for the University of the Arts and VanderCook College of Music, teaching graduate courses for music educators.
Theresa is the author of the book, Empowering Ensembles With Technology, the co-author of Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students, and the co-host of the podcast Pass the Baton: Empowering Students in Music Education. Her writing has been featured on several online publications as well as on her own blog, Off the Beaten Path: A Music Teacher’s Journey.
When not teaching, you can find Theresa curled up with a good book, on the running trail, traveling to visit family and friends, or spending time with her dog, Dizzy.