Dr. Xixi Shen
Dr. Xixi Shen, a SUNY Fredonia faculty member, recently received two professional recognitions in the field of music pedagogy.
Dr. Shen is a Lecturer in class piano at SUNY Fredonia.
Her dissertation abstract, “Culturally Responsive Curriculum: Incorporating Chinese Folk Songs in Class Piano,” was published in the November 2025 issue of MTNA e-Journal under Current Research.
Published by Music Teachers National Association, MTNA e-Journal features research relevant to the music teaching profession. Shen’s abstract presents her doctoral work on incorporating Chinese folk songs into collegiate class piano instruction and using those materials to develop functional piano skills, including harmonization, improvisation, transposition, score reading, accompaniment, and aural learning. After her dissertation abstract appeared in MTNA e-Journal, Shen received an invitation to present at Bowling Green State University.
In February, Shen presented at Bowling Green State University on “Collegiate Class Piano Teaching: Preparing for Teaching Assistant Interviews,” addressing class piano teaching, lesson planning, repertoire selection, and functional skills instruction in collegiate settings. At Fredonia, she brings this work into the classroom by integrating world music pedagogy into class piano teaching and broadening the repertoire students encounter.
