EDUCATION
| Ph.D. | Vocal Music Education | Auburn University |
| Ed.S. | Vocal Music Education | Auburn University |
| M.Ed. | Vocal Music Education | Auburn University |
| B.M. | Music Education | University of Kentucky |
AWARDS AND HONORS
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2025 | GRAMMY Music Educator Award, Quarterfinalist |
| Journal of General Music Education, Featured Columnist | |
| Modern Band Higher Education Fellow, Fellowship Grant Recipient |
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
K-12 General Music
Critical Consciousness
Informal Music Learning
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Critical Consciousness
Educational Niceness
Informal Music Learning
HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATIONS
- Bell, M. L. (in review). “You Petty”: Developing critical awareness of ‘nice’ dysconscious racism, an analytic autoethnography of a White K-5 general music educator. [Manuscript submitted for publication to the Journal of Popular Music Education].
- Bell, M. L. (in submission). From frustrated semi-professional to flourishing amateur: How amateurism restored my contentious history with fretted instruments. Journal of General Music Education [Manuscript submitted for publication].
- Bell, M. L. (2022). Leave it to the experts: Project-based learning and student creativity. The Orff Echo 55(1), 22-27.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / ACTIVITIES
- 10 years as a K-5 General Music Specialist in Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, KY
- 5 years as Director of the Children’s Choir at a church in Lexington, KY
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Dr. Bell’s philosophy of music education is rooted in the belief that meaningful learning emerges through play, collaboration, and exploration. She believes centering students in the work of learning requires prioritizing improvisation and composition in the music-making experience. Additionally, she believes children should have ample experiences evaluating, reflecting on, and refining their work in order to demonstrate proficient musical expression through performance.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Macy Bell is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at The University of Alabama. Dr. Bell is an Orff-Schulwerk Certified music educator with twelve years of professional experience in music education. Dr. Bell’s research agenda centers on critical consciousness and informal music learning. Dr. Bell is committed to preparing preservice educators to create and sustain rigorous and joyful music learning environments that prioritize student creativity, belongingness, and critical thinking. Honors include 2025 GRAMMY Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist, Featured Columnist for the Journal of General Music Education, Modern Band Higher Education Fellowship, 2024 Co-Recipient of the National Association for Music Education & Society for Research in Music Education Research Grant, 2023 Kentucky Music Educators Association District 7 Elementary Music Teacher of the Year, and more.