Justin West

Justin J. West is Assistant Professor in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas, where he teaches courses on musical development, qualitative methods, sociology of music education, and law and policy in arts education. He was previously Assistant Professor of Music Education at Louisiana State University.  

Dr. West is a scholar of music teacher learning and professional development, with articles published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Arts Education Policy Review, Journal of Music Teacher Education, General Music Today, International Journal of Research in Choral Singing, International Journal for Research in Education, and Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education. He facilitates the Professional Development for Music Teachers ASPA, a working group within the Society for Music Teacher Education, and was co-editor of a 2022 special issue of the International Journal for Research in Education on teacher learning during the pandemic. He has also written or presented on teacher self-efficacy, arts education policy, teacher social capital, and middle and high school choir program building. Dr. West is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing and presents frequently at conferences across the U.S. For his scholarly work, he was recognized at LSU with a 2021 Rising Faculty Research Award.

Dr. West earned a Ph.D. in music education, with cognates in educational research and administration, from the University of North Texas; an M.A. in music and music education from Columbia University; and a B.M. in choral music education, magna cum laude, from Lamar University. A native Texan, he previously taught choir, AP music theory, and piano in the Houston area and holds active teacher and principal certifications. A lifelong church musician (choir director, pianist, organist), Dr. West is Director of Music at Calvary Episcopal Church in Bastrop.