MSU Faculty Dr. Michele Paise named to national music educator council
Dr. Michele Paynter Paise, music education coordinator and associate professor at Morehead State University, has been selected as the southern representative to the National Association for Music Education’s Council for General Music Education.
The Council for General Music Education brings together leaders from across the country to address curriculum, pedagogy, and advocacy for general music programs. As the southern representative, Paise will contribute regional perspectives while helping guide national conversations about access, equity, and quality music education, issues she addresses daily in her work at Morehead State.
“I am thrilled to be serving the organization in this capacity,” Paise said. “Music instruction in the early years is of vital importance. It is the foundation for all future music learning in each student’s life.”
Paise’s work has been recognized through multiple university teaching and service awards, as well as nominations for the Grammy Music Educator Award. Recently, she was awarded MSU’s Distinguished Teacher Award.
In her new national role, she will continue advocating for the importance of early music education and high-quality instruction for young learners.
At MSU, Paise works closely with students through hands-on instruction and individualized mentoring. She prepares future music educators for classroom success, and many of her students have earned awards, presented research, and taken on leadership roles in the field, including through opportunities provided by the MSU Music Research Symposium she founded.
Her approach to teaching is grounded in real-world experience. Before joining Morehead State, Paise taught music at the K–12 level in multiple states and held faculty positions at several universities.
For more information, contact Paise at m.paise@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2470.
To learn more about the Department of Music & Theatre, email mtd@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2473.
