Donna Gallo

Donna Gallo is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), School of Music. She previously held faculty positions at Westminster Choir College, where she coordinated the Kodály Certification program, and taught K-6 general/choral music in Fairfax County Public Schools (VA) and Simsbury Public Schools (CT). Gallo’s academic background includes a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, an MME from Silver Lake College, a BME from Indiana University, and training at the Kodály Institute in Hungary, where she received the International Kodály Society Scholarship.

Her research focuses on:

• Inservice teacher learning through collaborative professional development structures.
• Creative music-making and the integration of popular music practices in elementary education.
• Community partnerships as critical experiences for preservice teacher training.
• Quantitative research methodologies in music education.
• Educational equity through culturally responsive teaching and service learning.
• Teaching strategies for neurodivergent and physically divergent students.

Gallo has secured grants for professional development programs and community partnerships with local music educators and school districts. Notably, she collaborated with the School of Music and College of Engineering on a UIUC grant to address systemic racism and social injustice. She has published in leading journals such as the Journal of Research in Music Education, Music Education Research, and International Journal of Music Education, and authored book chapters in The Routledge Companion to Creativities in Music Education and Toward Equity in School Music.

Scientific Awards:

• International Kodály Society Scholarship (Kodály Institute, Hungary).

In advising and grants, Gallo emphasizes culturally responsive teaching and first-year teacher support through service learning. Her work bridges music education with interdisciplinary initiatives, leveraging technology and partnerships to drive equity-focused innovation. She is actively involved in editorial roles, including past editor of AOSA Echo (2012–2016) and current editorial board member of the Music Educators Journal.

Her collaborations span the UIUC School of Music and College of Engineering, as well as local schools and community artist mentors. Gallo’s efforts aim to transform music education through inclusive curricula, technology integration, and systemic change.