Stephen Neely

Dr. Stephen Neely is the Milton and Cynthia Friedman Associate Professor of Music at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Music, serving as Director of Graduate Studies and Director of the Marta Sanchez Dalcroze Training Center. He specializes in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, music pedagogy, and interdisciplinary studies at the intersection of music, design, and architecture. His research emphasizes soma literacy, the physical dimension of experience, and the role of musical gestures in shaping human interaction.

He has taught at CMU since 1999 and previously led Dalcroze Eurhythmics at Pittsburgh’s High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (1994–2018). Additional roles include Chorusmaster for Opera Theater of Pittsburgh (1999–2010), featured performances in operas like Hangman, Hangman, and TEDxCMU speaking engagements. Dr. Neely co-founded the Virtual Dalcroze Meet-up and co-chairs the International Conference of Dalcroze Studies.

His publications include Make it Music (2023), a guide for integrating movement into classroom practices, and the forthcoming In Time—The Dynamics of Designed Experience (2026). His work bridges artistic and academic disciplines, exploring how bodily engagement with music informs design and experiential frameworks.