Steve Hedden

Steven K. Hedden, Professor of Music Education and Music Therapy, earned three degrees in music education while attending KU: a PhD in 1971, a master’s in music education in 1969, and a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1964. A native of Colby, Kansas, he returned to KU after more than 20 years of leadership at top arts schools in Arizona and Iowa. His previous appointments include these positions at the University of Arizona (1987 – 2002): vice dean for academics and research in the College of Fine Arts, acting dean, interim director of the Peter Treistman Fine Arts Center for New Media, and professor and coordinator of music education. He also was a faculty member at the University of Iowa (1972 – 1987), with six years as head of the UI music education program, and at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1971 - 1972). He joined KU after working as dean of the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University (2002 – 2003), then served five years as dean of KU’s School of Fine Arts (2003 - 2008). In addition to working in fine arts administration, Dr. Hedden also has been widely published, including more than 50 articles in professional journals. He is the author of chapters appearing in the Psychology of Music Handbook and the Handbook of Research on Music Teaching and Learning. He has shared his research through more than 50 presentations at international, national, state and local conferences and workshops. A music psychologist and former instrumental and general music teacher in the DeSoto (Kansas) public schools, his areas of research interest include psychology of music, listener response to music, arts administration and healthy musicianship.