Attention: Interim Dean Susan Gano-Phillips, PhD College of Arts and Sciences University of Michigan, Flint 516/517 French Hall 303 E. Kearsley Flint, MI 48502-1950. September 10, 2015 Dear. Dr. Gano-Phillips, I am pleased to write a letter of support for Dr. Karen Salvador. She is a remarkable and inspiring colleague whom I have known since we both began doctoral studies in music education at Michigan State in 2007. Also, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with her on a recent publication project entitled “Intersections between music education and music therapy: Education reform, arts education, exceptionality, and policy at the local level” which is currently accepted for publication in Arts Education Policy Review. During our doctoral studies Dr. Salvador exhibited excellent ability to communicate her thoughts and ideas. Once a month all the doctoral students and faculty gathered together to discuss and exchange feedback on unpublished manuscripts and other scholarship projects. Dr. Salvador was insightful and delivered constructive comments. She persevered when engaged in challenging research projects and exhibited a tenacity in achieving the goals she set for herself. Dr. Salvador has continued to maintain a passion for scholarship, originality and the ability to make creative decisions. She has demonstrated a sustained record of scholarly/research productivity. Since joining the faculty at University of Michigan, Flint she has numerous refereed publications in major journals including: Arts Education Policy Review, Research Studies in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, and Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education. Her research on social justice in music education, particularly her work regarding exceptionality and individualized instruction, is building the groundwork for systematic work in this area of study. Dr. Salvador serves her university by coordinating the secondary education programs as well as the music teacher’s certificate program. She adjudicates applied vocal juries and advises music majors. She serves the profession of music education by being a frequent workshop presenter and coordinator of local professional development workshops for area teachers. Furthermore, she is president-elect of the Michigan Music Education Association, and serves on the editorial board of a peer refereed journal: New Directions: A Journal of Scholarship, Creativity, and Leadership in Music Education. She has received multiple honors and awards recognizing her service to the profession of music education. Dr. Salvador is clearly a leader in the field of music education. With her ongoing contributions to the field and her genuine collegial spirit, I feel that Dr. Salvador is exactly the type of professional any colleague should be delight to have on faculty. In my personal interactions with her I have observed her to be well rounded, fair, and insightful. She was a delight to work with on our collaborative research project and I would enjoy the opportunity to collaborate further. Her publications demonstrate her knowledge of research methodology, theoretical music education knowledge, and ability to apply this knowledge to help music educators. Thank you for the opportunity to support Dr. Salvador’s file for tenure and promotion. Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at pasialiv@queens.edu or (704) 688 2720.
Sincerely,
Varvara Pasiali, PhD, MT-BC Music Therapist Board Certified Assistant Professor of Music Therapy Queens University of Charlotte 1900 Selwyn Avenue Charlotte, NC 28274