Michael Vecchio

Bio

Mike Vecchio is Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in instrumental music education. He completed his Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of Michigan with a cognate in wind band conducting. While at Michigan, he taught and assisted with music education courses throughout the undergraduate music education curriculum and served as the assistant conductor of the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band and the University of Michigan Band Alumni Association Concert Band. Additionally, he has taught graduate music education coursework at Eastern Michigan University, and undergraduate music education coursework and applied brass lessons at Adrian College. 

Vecchio’s dissertation focuses on creative musical activities within instrumental ensembles and the development of creative musical agency. His research interests include musical creativity, the role of large ensembles within instrumental music teacher education, the preparation and experiences of music teaching artists, and the Self-Study of Teacher Education Practices (S-STEP) within instrumental music methods courses. Vecchio’s research has been published in Arts Education Policy Review, and has been presented at state and national conferences including the American Educational Research Association annual conference, the Society for Music Teacher Educators symposium, and the Instrumental Music Teacher Educators biennial colloquium. He is a contributing author for the book Musicianship-Focused Curriculum and Assessment, 2nd Edition (GIA).

Vecchio previously taught music for eight years in the public schools of New York and the northern suburbs of Chicago. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from Ithaca College and Master’s Degrees in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from the University of Michigan.