2018 Outstanding University Teacher Award Winner, Non-Tenure Track

Mark Grizzard, M.M.

• M.M. in Composition, Choral Conducting from Illinois State University (2014)
• Instructional Assistant Faculty, School of Music

Teaching Philosophy

Music students arrive to the classroom with a broad understanding of music's power, and I strive to keep that joy and passion in the forefront so that acute academic study is continually viewed as a means through which music's power can be more fully experienced and shared.

I want to continue to improve my teaching by

fostering more student participation in the learning environment. I am convicted to continually find ways to allow students to try things themselves, to stand up or move around, and to truly participate rather than simply sitting and listening.

The most rewarding aspect of teaching for me is

witnessing student growth, not only in skills and course concepts but in personal maturity and connection to the campus community. Helping to guide talented students as they synthesize and disseminate skills and prepare for careers as future leaders and professionals is continually satisfying.

Best compliment that I received from a student

I "brought the fun back to music" for her. Academic study of music has a real danger of draining the joy that first attracted students to music study in the first place. Hearing that I have had a part in rekindling that joy is humbling.