Jennifer Hawkinson
Associate Professor of Music - Music Education
SFA 312B
(501) 450-5774
Jennifer K. Hawkinson is Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Central Arkansas. She holds the Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, as well as degrees from the University of Manitoba (MM, Conducting) and Mount Marty College (BA, Music Education). Dr. Hawkinson previously taught elementary general and instrumental music for 18 years in South Dakota schools from small to large and rural to suburban. She ended her public school career as the Director of Bands at Sioux Falls Washington, one of the largest high schools in the state. She was an adjunct instructor of flute at the University of Sioux Falls and taught students from elementary to adult in her private studio. Dr. Hawkinson enjoys her work as an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator with students of all ages.
At UCA, Dr. Hawkinson teaches undergraduate courses in elementary general and instrumental music pedagogy, supervises student internships, instructs graduate courses, and advises graduate student research. She coordinates summer programs in music education for both graduate students and practicing music educators. As a scholar, Dr. Hawkinson’s research interests include student nonparticipation in school music programs through the theoretical lens of constraint negotiation, engaging diverse student populations in school music, virtual music learning spaces, and student-centered pedagogy. She has presented conference and teacher training sessions on the topics of teacher evaluation, assessment in music and other non-tested subjects, fostering creativity in student musicians, and creating comprehensive band programs. Dr. Hawkinson has presented and published as a member of the University of Minnesota doctoral research cohort at the Society of Music Teacher Education conference and in Interval: The Journal of Music Teacher Education.
Dr. Hawkinson’s professional memberships include the National Association for Music Education and Phi Beta Mu. She served two terms as President of the South Dakota Music Educators Association.