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James Reifinger

James Reifinger, Music Education Coordinator, Associate Professor

James L Reifinger, Jr. is Music Education Coordinator and an Associate Professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses music education.

Dr. Reifinger also serves as the faculty advisor for National Association for Music Education Collegiate Chapter and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He earned a Doctorate in Music Education at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, a Master of Special Education at Lehigh University, and a Master and Bachelor of Music at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

He also earned certification as a Kodály Specialist at New York University and has had additional training in Dalcroze, Orff, and Music Learning Theory. Prior to university teaching, Dr. Reifinger taught general, vocal, and instrumental music in Grades K through 12 in public and private schools in Pennsylvania for more than fifteen years.

James Reifinger Office: Altgeld 302
Phone: 618-453-2843
Email: reifinger@siu.edu

Dr. Reifinger’s research interests include music cognition, music literacy, and assessment. His has published articles in the Journal of Research in Music Education, UPDATE: Applications of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, General Music Today, and Psychomusicology: Music, Mind and Brain. He has presented research at conferences such as the International Society for Music Education, the International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education, the Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Education, the International Neurosciences and Music Conference, and the NAfME National Conference. He is a member of the Editorial Committee for Music Educators Journal.

In addition to university teaching and research, Dr. Reifinger is an active organist and church musician. He currently serves as Organist and Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in Paducah, Kentucky.