Meet Yamaha Master Educator Dr. Rodney Dorsey
Dr. Rodney Dorsey‘s expertise in music education stems from a diverse background of experiences, which include teaching at multiple distinct public high schools as well as directing college ensembles for decades.
As an African American band director, Dorsey knows what it means and how it feels to be a minority — a unique and motivating perspective he brings to students and teaching moments.
He is currently a Professor of Music and Conductor of Wind Orchestra as well as the Director of Graduate Wind Conducting Studies at Florida State University College of Music and is active guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator in the United States and has welcomed engagements in Bulgaria, Hungary and Canada.
Making connections with students as individuals is one of Dorsey’s strengths and passions. He understands that directors can have a powerful, positive impact on young musicians and their goals, and accepts this as part of his professional responsibility.
Serving the roles of both director and mentor, Dorsey’s student-centered approach to teaching focuses on providing valuable and useful input, which can be immediately implemented. Through the process of setting goals and making connections with fellow students within the ensemble, Dorsey works with students individually to help them develop a plan to achieve their objectives.
Some of Dr. Rodney Dorsey’s session titles are:
- Strategies for Long-Term Success
- Get Inside the Music
- We are What We Teach: Quality Literature and the Instrumental Ensemble
To learn more about clinics by Dr. Rodney Dorsey, please contact Jalissa Gascho at jgascho@yamaha.com.