Amy Simmons

Amy Simmons is a Senior Lecturer in Music and Human Learning at the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music, The University of Texas at Austin. She specializes in music education, motor learning, and expertise development in teaching and performance. Dr. Simmons teaches courses such as Research in Music Education and Techniques of Woodwind/Brass Performance, and coordinates the Texas Music Education Research journal and TMEA Research Poster Session. She previously served as a band director and professional oboist.

Education:

• PhD in Music Education, The University of Texas at Austin
• MM in Music, The University of Texas at Austin
• BM in Music, The University of Texas at Austin

Her research explores skill acquisition, practice strategies, and the cognitive neuroscience of music learning. Recent work includes studies on choral rehearsing expertise, attention in beginner band instruction, and the role of rest breaks in skill retention. Her articles span topics from motor learning to audience engagement through program notes.

Dr. Simmons holds leadership roles in NAfME and TMEA, contributing to state-level music education research initiatives. Her teaching spans both graduate and undergraduate levels, emphasizing practical pedagogy and evidence-based methods. She has advised students through directed research courses but no formal advisee list is noted.

Labs/Teams: She actively collaborates with the Journal for Research in Music Education editorial board and oversees TMEA’s annual research sessions.