George Nicholson

Biography

Dr. George Nicholson is Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Delaware, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in instrumental music education and the philosophy of music education. His work bridges K–12 teaching, higher education, and community arts, centering on creativity, equity, and diverse approaches to string education.

Before joining the Delaware faculty, Dr. Nicholson held appointments at Teachers College, Columbia University; Case Western Reserve University; the Cleveland Institute of Music; the University of New Mexico; Ithaca College; and Queens College. He began his career as an orchestra director in Cobb County, Georgia, where his ensembles earned statewide and national recognition for their performances and community engagement. He has remained active with youth music-making through conducting roles with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, the Interstate Orchestras of New York, and numerous honor ensembles around the country. In addition, he performs as a bassist with New York City’s Queer Urban Orchestra.

Dr. Nicholson’s research investigates the relationship between educational philosophy and classroom practice, with particular focus on multi-style string pedagogy, equity, and the experiences of teachers navigating systems of reform. His work has been published in leading journals such as the Music Educators Journal, Music Education Research, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Arts Education Policy Review, International Journal of Education & the Arts, American String Teacher, and in multiple volumes of the Oxford Handbooks of Music Education. He is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences, including the American String Teachers Association, International Society for Music Education, Research in Music Education, and the International Society for the Philosophy of Music Education.

Beyond his teaching and scholarship, Dr. Nicholson serves the profession through leadership with the American String Teachers Association, where he chairs the Eclectic Styles Committee (2024–2026) and contributes to the Strategic Planning Committee. He is also in demand nationally as a guest clinician, adjudicator, and conductor, committed to creating inclusive and imaginative spaces for student musicians.