Shawn Funk

Shawn Funk is an Adjunct Professor at the Mary Pappert School of Music, Duquesne University, where he teaches music education and piano. He has also held adjunct positions at Clarion University and Point Park University. With over 40 years of experience in music education, he recently retired after 32 years in public school music education within the Fox Chapel Area School District.

His educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Science in Music Education (Piano and Voice), Clarion University
• Master of Music in Piano Performance, Duquesne University
• Postgraduate credits from University of Memphis, Northwestern University, Penn State University, Carnegie Mellon University, and University of Colorado
• Level III Orff Certification, University of Memphis
• Advanced choral conducting studies with Robert Harris (Northwestern), Shirley McRae (University of Memphis), and Christine Jordanoff (Duquesne University)

Shawn Funk specializes in Music Education and Group Piano, with a strong emphasis on inclusive practices for neurodiverse learners. He has pioneered fully inclusive music classrooms and developed specialized programs that integrate neurodiverse students into mainstream music education. His expertise extends to Orff-Schulwerk methodology and choral pedagogy for youth ensembles.

He is the Artistic Director Emeritus of the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, where he continues to lead a choir for neurodiverse singers aged 6–18. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded outreach through Neighborhood Training Choirs and school-based programs in Pittsburgh Public Schools. He has prepared youth choirs for performances with the Pittsburgh Opera in productions such as “Hansel and Gretel,” “Tosca,” “Turandot,” “La Boheme,” “Carmen,” and “The Summer King.” Collaborations also include performances with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Chautauqua Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, Mendelssohn Choir, and Jr. Mendelssohn Choir.

His accolades include the 2011 “Citation of Excellence Award” from the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. He has been a featured presenter at national conferences including the American Orff Schulwerk Association, NAfME (state, division, and national levels), and ACDA (state, division, and national levels). He frequently serves as a guest conductor and clinician for choral festivals across the eastern United States.

Shawn Funk led the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus on international tours to England in 2017 and 2023, performing at Canterbury Cathedral and in London. His work integrates training for future music educators and therapists, providing them with hands-on pedagogical experience in inclusive settings.