Suzanne L. Burton

Suzanne L. Burton is Professor of Music Education and Senior Associate Dean for the Arts in the School of Music, College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware. She has been a faculty member since 2002 and has held leadership roles including Director of Music Education and assessment faculty fellow. She is actively involved in university governance and initiatives related to teacher education, antiracism, and the arts.

Her research centers on early childhood music and music teacher education, with specific interests in children's spontaneous singing, music technology use in preschools, and music literacy development through language acquisition models. She also explores music improvisation, creativity, and service-learning in teacher training.

Her recent publications and co-edited works focus on mobile technology in music education, improvisation pedagogy, and early childhood music research. These reflect a strong trend toward practical, technology-enhanced, and child-centered approaches in music education.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• College Music Society’s Robby Gunstream Education in Music Award
• Delaware Symphony Orchestra’s Jessie Ball duPont Educator award
• Member, Pi Kappa Lambda
• Member, Phi Kappa Phi

Advising and Grants: While specific advisees are not listed, Burton has led significant research and editorial projects, including directing music education programs and serving on multiple university committees. Her work in school-university partnerships and intercultural collaborations suggests active mentorship and grant-related engagement, though no explicit grants are mentioned.

Labs and Teams: She chairs the Visual and Performing Arts subcommittee of the UD Antiracism Initiative and leads the International Society for Music Education Early Childhood Music Education commission, indicating leadership in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams focused on equity and early music development.