Rachel Short

Rachel Short is an Associate Professor of Music Theory and Coordinator of Embedded Music Theory Tutors at Shenandoah Conservatory, Shenandoah University, where she has been employed since 2017. Her academic journey spans multiple institutions with significant contributions to music theory education and performance.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Music Theory, University of California, Santa Barbara (2016)
• M.A., Queens College, CUNY
• B.A., Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego

Dr. Short's research centers on choreomusical analysis, rhythm and meter, and American musical theatre, with an interdisciplinary approach examining the intersection of music and dance. Her seminal dissertation on Bernstein and Robbins’s Fancy Free demonstrates how choreography and musical composition interact as complementary artistic elements. She actively advances these fields through conference presentations and scholarly collaborations.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Honorable mention for the Arthur J. Komar Award at Music Theory Midwest
• Transformative Teaching & Learning Fellow designation for 2020-2021

As an educator, Dr. Short mentors graduate student teachers through structured programs including the Summer Teaching Institute for Associates (STIA), where she served as Peer Facilitator in Arts & Humanities. Her teaching philosophy prioritizes multimedia integration to strengthen students' analytical skills for performance and appreciation. She holds formal teaching certifications from UCSB and STIA, reflecting her commitment to pedagogical excellence.

She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Society for Music Theory’s Dance and Movement Interest Group, fostering cross-disciplinary research networks and community engagement initiatives within the academic field.