Martina Vasil

Martina Vasil is an Associate Professor of Music Education and Director of Graduate Studies for the School of Music. She directs summer music education programming in Modern Band, Orff Schulwerk, and Dalcroze. Dr. Vasil teaches undergraduate courses in elementary general music methods and modern band and graduate courses in qualitative research. She is the Program Faculty Chair for the music education Educator Preparation Program (EPP), working with the College of Education to adhere to educational policies and admit music education candidates into the Teacher Education Program. She also supervises student teachers in their elementary music placements. She is the faculty advisor for the University of Kentucky Boomwhacker Club (the BOOMCats).

In 2023, Dr. Vasil was awarded the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award—an annual student-nominated award given to six professors across campus. Prior to her appointment at UK, Dr. Vasil taught K–8 general music and 4–8 instrumental music (band and strings) for seven years in Pennsylvania, working in parochial and public charter schools in rural, suburban, and urban areas. While at UK, she taught preK–6 music at Lexington Montessori School for seven years. She has her BM and PhD in music education from West Virginia University and her MM in music education from Eastman School of Music.

Dr. Vasil is committed to access to and equity in music education and was a Fulbright Specialist working in Monrovia, Liberia to train teachers and work with children at the only music school in the country. Her work with popular music education has also opened access to music making through the KMEA All-State Modern Band ensembles and graduated students starting modern band programs in their elementary, middle, and high schools.

Dr. Vasil’s primary research interests center on popular music education, Orff Schulwerk, and music teacher education. She is the editor of “Popular Music in Elementary Music Education” through Oxford University Press (coming out in 2025). She also has publications in the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education, the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, the Missouri Journal of Research in Music Education, and The Orff Echo. She has presented her research internationally, nationally, and regionally and is a frequent presenter for Orff chapters across the nation and internationally.

Dr. Vasil loves Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Bob's Burgers, and most things in the nerd kingdom. She is an avid runner and yogi and lives with her cats Georgie and Grogu. Her favorite band is the Beatles and she has an affinity for disco but loves all kinds of music. You might catch her playing her uke bass from time to time. Follow her on Instagram: @musicwithdrv