Don Hedges

Don Hedges serves as Dean of the Paul T. Plew School of Music and Professor of Music at The Master's University. He joined TMU after 23 years at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, where he held multiple teaching, directing, and administrative roles. Prior to that, he spent five years as faculty and registrar at North American Baptist College and Edmonton Baptist Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, while concurrently serving as Pastor of Music and Worship at Richview Baptist Church in Toronto, Ontario.

He holds a B.S. in Music Composition from Faith Baptist Bible College and both M.M. and Ph.D. degrees in Music Theory from Indiana University, with minors in conducting, arts administration, and stage direction. His academic foundation emphasizes the theological and structural dimensions of musical expression.

Dr. Hedges' research centers on music's essential nature—its purpose, function, and theological significance—particularly within congregational worship contexts. He examines how music communicates beyond language and shapes spiritual practice, driving his current writing and mentorship of church music interns. His work bridges theoretical analysis with practical worship leadership.

Outside academia, he is married to Pamela with four grown children, two daughters-in-law, and one grandson. The NASM-accredited Paul T. Plew School of Music operates under his leadership with a mission to develop musical leaders who glorify God through wisdom and conviction.