Carla Becker

Carla Becker, Ed.D., is an Assistant Professor of Music Education and Program Coordinator at Delaware State University. She holds a Doctorate in Music Education from Columbia University's Teachers College (2014), complemented by advanced percussion performance degrees from the University of Washington with an ethnomusicology emphasis. Her research focuses on culturally competent music education, global music integration, and ethnomusicological studies in West Africa, the Caribbean, and Jamaica. Dr. Becker’s work emphasizes 'culturally self-representative' educational spaces and has involved fieldwork in Ghana, Bali, The Gambia, Jamaica, and the Caribbean.

Her educational background includes a BME from Central Michigan University (2000), an MM in Percussion Performance from the University of Washington (2002), and doctoral percussion studies at the same institution (2005). Teaching appointments include positions at Teachers College Columbia University (student teaching director) and Shoreline/North Seattle Community Colleges (World Music instructor).

Research interests span ethnomusicology (e.g., Ghanaian Palm-Wine Music, Jamaican Rastafarian Identity in Reggae), qualitative research methodologies, and arts-based consultation. She has presented globally at conferences such as the International Society for Music Education (Munich, 2018) and the Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education (Swaziland, 2017). Awards include an ACLS stipend (2024) and a Delaware Division of the Arts grant (2021-2022).

Her publications include curriculum-focused articles and book reviews in journals like Journal of Negro Education and Orff Reverberations. She co-created the Hip Hop Music Education website (hiphopmusiced.com) and has performed with ensembles in West Africa, the Caribbean, and U.S. symphonies. Dr. Becker advocates for STEAM integration in music curricula and has led workshops on culturally sustaining practices in music education.