Who We Are
We are a group of musicians, practitioners, researchers, and friends! The five of us met as doctoral students in the Music and Music Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. As we began our journey navigating doc student life, we immediately "clicked." We supported each other through coursework, dissertations, teaching, performance, and much more. Now, we're here to support you. We love collaborating, so check out our bios below and reach out with questions, feedback, and ideas. We look forward to hearing from you!
Alex W. Fung, EdD
Alex W. Fung is a public school music educator in New York State, youth orchestra co-founder/director, education researcher, and an active violinist. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Performance from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from Marist College, Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Long Island University, and a Doctor of Education in Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
His research interest includes student-centered pedagogy, orchestra ensemble teaching approaches, and public school system functions/operations in relation to music education.
Derrick L. Thompson, Ed.D.CT.
Derrick L. Thompson is a native of Madison Heights, Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with an emphasis in vocal music education, a Master of Arts degree in music, a Master of Music in choral conducting, a Master of Education in Music and Music Education, and a Doctor of Education in the College Teaching of Music and Music Education. His research interests involve developing the young singing voice, communicating in the choral rehearsal, and teaching methodologies for the choral and applied voice setting. His most recent publications can be found in ChorTeach: Practical Teaching Ideas for Today’s Music Educator.
Dr. Thompson taught in the Virginia school system for eight years, teaching elementary general music and conducting middle and high school choirs. He has served on the faculty at Lynchburg College, Teachers College, Columbia University, Delaware State University, and Albright College. Dr. Thompson currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
Meagan Dissinger, Ed.D., N.B.C.T. (she/her/hers)
Dr. Meagan Dissinger is a National Board Certified Teacher with fifteen years of experience teaching choir, classroom music, and dance to all grades PreK-12 in New York and the Virgin Islands of the US. Meg currently serves as Visiting Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Graduate Choral Conducting and Music Education program at Messiah University. She previously held Adjunct appointments at Teachers College, Columbia University, and The University of the Virgin Islands.
Meg holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with minors in Dance and Special Education from The Pennsylvania State University, Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from CUNY Hunter College, and a Master’s and Doctorate Degree in Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Meg's research interests include culturally responsive, relevant, and sustaining teaching in music and dance education, interdisciplinary learning, and performance-based assessment. She has authored articles in several publications and presents her work at regional and national conferences including the Society of Music Teacher Education and the National Dance Education Organization. Meg has affiliations with several professional organizations and leads the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee of The Dalcroze Society of America..
In addition to teaching and research, Meg maintains an active schedule as a collaborative pianist, guest conductor and clinician, music director, choreographer, and certified yoga and ballet barre fitness instructor. She is also a wife and mother of two daughters and three rescue dogs.
Michael P. Fleischmann, EdDCT
Dr. Michael P. Fleischmann is a conductor, performer, and father of two. Michael graduated with a degree in Music Education from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. He earned a Master of Music degree in wind conducting from California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Fleischmann continued his education at Teachers College, Columbia University where he earned a Doctor of Education degree in College Teaching.
Michael has enjoyed giving back to the community of music education as a clinician at local schools, or for conference presentations. His publication and research interests include French horn pedagogy and the applications of creativity (specifically composition, improvisation, and arranging) in large ensemble band settings. He currently resides in Palm Desert, CA.
Michael Mohammed, EdDCT
Michael Mohammed received his doctorate from the Music and Music Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. His dissertation used narrative inquiry to explore the use of the voice as a means of personal and cultural expression by elite black opera and musical theatre singers. His research continues to look at the representation of persons with historically excluded identities in operatic and theatrical performance. He is an Affiliate Member of the Black Opera Research Network.
"Dr. Mojo" is the Director of the Musical Theatre Ensemble at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He is also on the voice faculty of San Jose State University, College of Marin, and the San Francisco Community Music Center. He has been invited to give presentations at Stanford University, Opera Philadelphia, Pacific Voice Conference, Bowling Green State University, and Earlham College.
He works throughout the US and Canada as a stage director, choreographer, and performer. Recently, he co-created What's Known To Me Is Endless with baritone Kenneth Overton and pianist Rich Coburn for the inaugural season of Amplified Opera, a Toronto based company that places equity-seeking artists at the center of public discourse.