Jacob M. Dakon, Ph.D.
Jacob M. Dakon is Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Kansas, Division of Music Education and Music Therapy. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Dakon taught string orchestra in the public schools of South Carolina and served as adjunct faculty at the Appalachian State University Hayes School of Music in Boone, North Carolina. Other positions included String Coordinator and Violin Instructor for the ASU Community Music School and Suzuki Violin Instructor at the James C. Harper School for the Performing Arts in Lenoir, North Carolina. Dr. Dakon also holds training in the pedagogical approaches of Paul Rolland and Shin’ichi Suzuki, both of which strongly influence his work.
At the University of Kansas, Dr. Dakon teaches string techniques, string methods, rehearsal techniques, instrumental conducting, music administration, human life-span development, and an introductory course in music education. As a member of the string education field, he serves as a member of the American String Teacher Association Collegiate Committee, American String Teacher Editorial Committee, and the editor of the Kansas American String Teachers Association Newsletter.
Dr. Dakon’s research examines music education from a microhistorical perspective, focusing specifically on the development of string classroom education between 1910 and 1940. Other research interests include heterogeneous string instruction, community music, memorization, and music expertise. His published works can be found in the Journal of Research in Music Education, British Journal of Music Education, Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, String Research Journal, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, and the American String Teacher. Dr. Dakon is also a contributing member of the International Research Symposium for Talent Education (IRSTE) research group, and a research fellow with the University of the Free State in South Africa.
Education
Academic
Ph.D., Music Education, The Ohio State University
- Dissertation: “The Effects of Aural and Visual Strategies on the Memorization of Beginning-Level String Students: An Exploratory Study”
- Advisor: Dr. Robert Gillespie
Master of Music (M.M.), Violin Performance, Appalachian State University
Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Music Education, University of South Carolina
Practica
Rolland Pedagogy Certification, Level 1, Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Workshop, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Suzuki Training-Book 2, Suzuki Institute, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
Suzuki Training-Book 1, Suzuki Institute, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
Teaching Interests
- Music education
- Human life-span development
- String pedagogy
- Instructional behaviors
- Curriculum
- Music program administration
Research Interests
- String pedagogy
- String education history
- Community music
- Practice
- Expertise.
Selected Publications
Dakon, J. M., & Major, M. L. (2017). Chorister Perceptions of Collegiate Top-Level Choral Experiences: Replication and Extension. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 212, 27-55. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/bulcouresmusedu.212.0027
Dakon, J. M. (2017). Studio teaching tips: Reconsidering b-flat instruction . American String Teacher.
Dakon, J. M., & Cloete, E. (2017). The Violet experience: Social interaction through eclectic music making. British Journal of Music Education . DOI:10.1017/S0265051717000122 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-music-education/article/violet-experience-social-interaction-through-eclectic-music-learning-practices/F3C8F60FA2CD87C763BC45BC68609957
Major, M. L., & Dakon, J. M. (2016). Singers’ perceptions of mid-level choral experiences. Journal of Research in Music Education, 64(1), 108-127. DOI:10.1177/0022429416639232
Dakon, J. M., & Giray, S. (2015). Collé action: An alternative perspective on right-hand finger and wrist mobility. American String Teacher, 65(3), 32-35.
Dakon, J. M., & Dvorak, A. L. (2015). Teacher perceptions of memorization in string Instructional Settings: An exploratory study. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 202, 29-49. DOI:10.5406/bulcouresmusedu.202.0029
Dakon, J. M. (2014). Exploring pre-bowing exercises: The search for a definition and its application . American String Teacher, 64(1), 34-37.
Dakon, J. M. (2013). An examination of aural and visual practice strategies exhibited by beginning-level string students when memorizing music material. String Research Journal, 4, 37-53.
Dakon, J. M. (2011). Dr. Harvey Samuel Whistler, Jr. (1907-1976): An influential pedagogue and researcher in instrumental music education. Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, 33(1), 5-26.
Selected Presentations
Dakon, J. M. & Cloete, E. . (03/03/2017). The Violet experience: Social interaction through eclectic music learning practice. 2017 American String Teachers National Conference, American String Teachers Association. Pittsburgh, PA
Dakon, J. M. (08/05/2016). “We’re in this together:” How memorization through meaningful social interaction can impact the future of music learning. “Music School of the Future” Conference. Kingswood College, Grahamstown, South Africa
Major, M. L. & Dakon, J. M. (07/29/2016). Chorister’s perceptions of top-level choral experiences: Replication and extension. 32nd ISME World Conference on Music Education, International Society for Music Education. Glasgow, Scotland
Dakon, J. M. (05/27/2016). “They always have their music with them:” Examining the task-value of memorization in youth instrumental ensembles. International Research Symposium for Talent Education, Suzuki Associations of America. Minneapolis, MN
Dakon, J. M. (03/03/2016). Pre-bowing exercises: Navigating the awkward steps between pizzicato and détaché. Clinic presented at the 2016 American String Teachers National Conference, American String Teachers Association. Tampa, FL
Dakon, J. M. & Rigby, L. E. (02/26/2016). Spiccato: A long and bumpy road? Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop. Wichita, KS
Dakon, J. M. (07/23/2015). Memorization and mental representations: Enhancing the practice abilities of young instrumentalists. University of the Free State, Odeion School of Music . Bloemfontein, South Africa
Dakon, J. M. & Dvorak, A. L. (03/20/2015). Teacher perceptions of memorization in string instructional settings: An exploratory study. Poster session presented at the 2015 American String Teachers National Conference, American String Teachers Association. Salt Lake City, UT
Major, M. L. & Dakon, J. M. (04/11/2014). Student perspectives on building identity in mid-level collegiate choirs. 2014 NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. St. Louis, MO.
Dakon, J. M. & Mathieu, V. . (03/07/2014). Memorization from the perspective of the beginning-level strings student: Useful tips for string instrumentalists of all ages . 2014 American String Teachers National Conference. Louisville, KY
Dakon, J. M. (02/28/2014). Pre-bowing exercises: Navigating the awkward steps between pizzicato and détaché. Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop. Wichita, KS.
Dakon, J. M. & Brooks, E. . (03/01/2013). Reviving the forgotten literature of Dr. Harvey S. Whistler, Jr.: An examination of important technical and chamber works still relevant to the 21st century studio and string class. 2013 American String Teachers National Conference . Providence, RI
Dakon, J. M. (02/28/2013 - 03/01/2013). Collé! The key to smooth bow direction changes, bow distribution, and spiccato. 2013 American String Teachers National Conference-National Orchestra Festival. Providence, RI
Dakon, J. M. (02/22/2013). The missing link: Addressing bow control between staccato and spiccato. 2013 Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop. Wichita, KS
Dakon, J. M. (03/29/2012). An examination of aural and visual practice strategies exhibited by beginning-level string students when memorizing music material. 2012 Biennial Music Educators National Conference, National Association for Music Education. St. Louis, MO.
Dakon, J. M. (03/24/2012). Bringing the sounds of South Africa to the string orchestra Classroom: Strategies for enhancing your alternative styles curriculum. 2012 American String Teachers National Conference, American String Teachers Association. Atlanta, GA.
Dakon, J. M. (03/25/2010). Dr. Harvey Samuel Whistler, Jr. (1907-1976): A pioneer pedagogue and researcher in instrumental music education. 2010 Biennial Music Educators National Conference, Music Educators National Conference. Anaheim, CA.
