Office Location:
Horace Mann 520COffice Hours:
By appointment; https://teacherscollege.zoom.us/j/93686987644TC Affiliations:
Educational Background
Ed.D. in Music Education, 2019 – Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
M.B.A., 2014 – Metropolitan College Of New York, New York, NY
M.A. in Jazz Performance, 2013 – Queens College, City University Of New York, New York, NY
B.M. in Music Business, 2011 – Crane School Of Music, State University Of New York At Potsdam, Potsdam, NY
Scholarly Interests
Dr. Drew X Coles is an accomplished educator, researcher, and leader in the field of music education, with a distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, and service. He currently serves as a Lecturer in the Music & Music Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he also directs the Hybrid Master of Arts in Music & Music Education Program. Dr. Coles has previously held leadership positions, including Executive Director of the Crane Institute for Music Business and Chair of Music Business at the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam, where he led strategic curriculum development, recruitment, and alumni engagement initiatives.
As a scholar, Dr. Coles has published extensively in leading music education and arts management journals, including Music Educators Journal, College Music Symposium, Journal of Educational Thought, School Music News (NYSSMA), INform (Indiana MEA), TEMPO (NJMEA), the American Journal of Arts Management, and the Journal of Arts Entrepreneurship Education. His research explores collaborative pedagogy, music technology, culturally responsive teaching, and the psychology of performance, with ongoing IRB-approved studies in these areas.
Beyond academia, Dr. Coles is actively engaged in editorial service, serving on advisory and review boards for Issues in Teacher Education, Music Educators Journal, College Music Symposium, and the Journal of Educational Thought. He is a board member of the College Music Society and the College Music Society Fund and serves on the Network for Music Career Development Officers' steering committee. His expertise in arts entrepreneurship and leadership has made him a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, including the College Music Society, the National Association for Music Education, the Association for Technology in Music Instruction, and the American Educational Research Association.
Dr. Coles’ professional experience extends into arts administration, having founded and led Pro Arts Management & Consulting LLC and served as Executive Director of the International Chamber Orchestra of America. He has played a pivotal role in program development, fundraising, and strategic planning, securing significant financial support for institutional initiatives.
Dr. Coles continues to advance the field through his leadership, scholarship, and advocacy for innovation in music education, working at the intersection of pedagogy, technology, and professional practice.
Selected Publications
Weikle, E., & Coles, D. (2025). Developing music-specific culturally responsive teaching professional development: an autoethnographic action research study. Journal of Teacher Development and Education, 3(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.29329/journalted.40
Coles, D. X., George, J., & Miller. M. (2025). Three-Tier Pricing Model: Differentiation Based On Consumer Psychology, Market Positioning, and Added-Value Incentives. Teaching Notes: American Journal of Arts Management. 13(2).
Coles, D. X., & Kalmanovitch, T. (2025). Reevaluating the Paradigm of Music Entrepreneurship in Conservatory-Style Institutions. In College Music Symposium 65(1). The College Music Society. https://doi.org/10.18177/sym.2025.65.fr.11666
Coles, D. X., & Hu, E. (2025). Ecological Model of Student Artistic Development in Jazz Education: Career Implications. Music Educators Journal, 111(3), 37-43. https://doi.org/10.1177/00274321251315169
Gunther, J., & Coles, D. X. (2025, March). Amplifying Music Education: Three Perspectives on Access and Equity. CMEA Digital News, 29-35. Connecticut Music Educators Association.
Coles, D. X., & Miller, M. (2025). Principles of Music Entrepreneurship for Music Educators. the Louisiana Musician, 90(3), 22-24. Louisiana Music Educators Association.
Coles, D. X., & Zane, C. (2024). Imperative duality of music teacher technological education. Journal of the Association for Technology in Music Instruction, 4(1), Article 2.
Coles, D. X. (2024). How Important is a Student’s Practice Space? Harnessing Environmental Awareness. Utah Music Educators Journal 70(1), 22-23. Utah Music Educators Association.
Coles, D. X., & Zane, C. (2024). The uncanny valley in the music classroom: Perspectives on overcorrection. Journal of Music, Technology & Education, 16(1-2). https://doi.org/10.1386/jmte_00064_1
Miller. M., & Coles, D. X. (2024). Informing Gatekeepers: Training Our Students to Critically Consider ‘Who Needs To Know What About Them’. Teaching Notes: American Journal of Arts Management. 12(3).
Coles, D. X. (2024, October). Music Classrooms as Emotional and Cognitive Processing Spaces. TEMPO!, 79(1), 18-19. New Jersey Music Educators Association.
Coles, D. X., & Gunther, J. (2024). Navigating the Intersections of Technology, Philosophy, and Pedagogical Practices. In College Music Symposium 64(2). The College Music Society. https://doi.org/10.18177/sym.2024.64.fr.11633
Coles, D. X., & Zane, C. (2024). Creating Spaces for Laptops in Music Education Classrooms: Enhancing Access and Opportunities. CMEA Magazine, 78(1), 8-9. California Music Educators Association.
Rosen, R., & Coles, D. X. (2024, September). Opportunities for Connection: Strategies for Inclusive Music Education. CMEA Digital News, 14-17. Connecticut Music Educators Association.
Wright, S. E., & Coles, D. X. (2024). Collaboratively-Oriented Classroom Policies in Music Education. Florida Music Director, 78(1), 20-24. Florida Music Education Association.
Coles, D. X. (2024). Business Card Assignment: An Identity Exploration Artifact. Teaching Notes: American Journal of Arts Management. 12(2).
Coles, D. X., & Reilly, M. (2024). The Essential Role of Feedback in Cultivating Flow in Teachers. CMEA Digital News, 13-17. Connecticut Music Educators Association.
Coles, D. X., & Menard, L. (2024). The Mandorla Model: Toward Collaboration as Liberatory Pedagogy. Journal of Educational Thought. 57(1), 57-74. https://doi.org/10.55016/ojs/jet.v57i1.79414
Hawkins, I. D., & Coles, D. X. (2024). Music Teacher Identities and Job Titles: Directors, Teachers, and Facilitators. The Maine Motif, 8(3), 9-11. Maine Music Educators Association.
Reilly, M., & Coles, D. X. (2024). Achieving and Maintaining Flow State in the Classroom: Steps for Success. Oregon Music Educator, 50-51. Oregon Music Educators Association.
Coles, D. X. (2024). Songwriting in the city: our process in instilling ownership. School Music News, 87(4), 26-27. New York State School Music Association.
Coles, D. X. (2023, November). A place for difficult but necessary conversations - the foundations of music education classroom. INform, 76(2), 18-19. Indiana Music Educators Association.
Coles, D. X. (2023). CMS Forums Discussion: Leveraging the Chordie App to display harmonic and melodic information through screen sharing video conferencing platforms. In College Music Symposium (Vol. 63, No. 2). The College Music Society.
Coles, D. X. (2023, October). Embracing Discovery: Lessons Learned from Canoeing on Sebago Lake in Overcoming Fear and Enhancing Music Pedagogy. Motif, 8(1), 17-19. Maine Music Educators Association.
Coles, D. X. (2023). The Metropolitan Players: the search for a unique value proposition. In Cases on Arts Entrepreneurship (pp. 44-55). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Coles, D. X., & Reilly, M. (2023, October). Beyond the conference: Following up on questions regarding achieving flow state in the classroom. TEMPO!, 78(1), 28-29. New Jersey Music Educators Association.
Coles, D. X. (2023, September 13). A Place for Difficult Conversations: The Foundations of Music Education Classroom - NAfME. National Association for Music Education.
Coles, D. X. (2023). CMS Forums Discussion: The Guitar Strummer Preset Within the Logic Pro X Scripter Plugin: Making MIDI Guitar Sound Real. In College Music Symposium (Vol. 63, No. 1). The College Music Society.
Coles, D. X. (2023, May 25). Finding Spaces for Collaborative Pedagogy in Music Education - NAfME. National Association for Music Education.
Castellano, L. G., & Coles, D. X. (2021). Amplifying the Transdisciplinary Nature of Arts Entrepreneurship Education Through Online Learning. Journal of Arts Entrepreneurship Education,3(2), 5.
Coles, D. X. (2018, October). Reimagining Career Clarity in Music Professions, Defining Success in Boundaryless Music Performance Careers. In College Music Symposium(Vol. 58, No. 2, pp. 1-7). The College Music Society.
(2017) An African-American Legacy: The Harlem Renaissance. Young People’s Concerts Resource Materials for Teachers, New York Philharmonic.
Biographical Information
Drew X Coles is an accomplished producer, serial entrepreneur, educator, and scholar, whose work spans across multiple facets of the music industry and higher education. As a faculty member at Teachers College, Columbia University, he leads a cutting-edge hybrid graduate degree program in Music and Music Education. In this role, he not only imparts knowledge through pedagogy, entrepreneurship, and production courses but also shapes the future of music education through his leadership and innovative curriculum development.
Drew's scholarly endeavors are as diverse as his professional roles, focusing on critical aspects of music education and the broader cultural context within which it operates. His research on the construct of success for post-secondary students offers insightful perspectives into educational outcomes and student development. Similarly, his work on culturally responsive pedagogy in the music classroom addresses essential themes of diversity and inclusion, providing valuable frameworks for educators to engage with students from various backgrounds effectively.
Moreover, Drew's exploration of technology in the applied studio, mentorship in music higher education, Jazz pedagogy, improvisation pedagogy, comprehensive musicianship coursework and curricula, artistic entrepreneurship, and quantitative research methods in music education are testament to his comprehensive understanding of the field. These scholarly interests not only highlight his academic prowess but also his commitment to advancing music education through research and practical application.
Drew holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, a Masters in Jazz Performance from Queens College, and an M.B.A. from the Metropolitan College of New York, he possesses a unique blend of artistic talent, academic excellence, and business acumen. His Doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University, which focused on the perceptions among musicians on the construct of career success, further underscores his deep engagement with the music industry's intricacies.
Beyond academia, Drew has made significant contributions to the music industry through leadership roles in prestigious organizations. His tenure as the Executive Director of the Crane Institute for Music Business and the International Chamber Orchestra of America demonstrates his ability to lead and innovate within the music business sector. As a co-founder of Pro Arts Management and Consulting LLC and the Musical Director to the Metropolitan Players, he has shown a keen ability to blend artistic vision with entrepreneurial initiative.
Drew's commitment to continuous learning and development is evident in his acquisition of certificates in Strategic Management from the International Business Management Institute, Financial Markets from Yale University, Leading for equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education from the University of Michigan, and Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School. These certifications not only augment his expertise but also reflect his dedication to embracing new knowledge and skills that can enhance his work and impact.
Dr. Coles embodies the rare combination of artistic talent, scholarly insight, entrepreneurial spirit, and educational leadership. Through his board leadership, publications, presentations, and invited talks, Drew continues to influence the fields of music education and the music industry at large, making significant contributions that will resonate for years to come. His work not only enriches the academic community at Teachers College, Columbia University but also sets a benchmark for excellence in music education and industry practices globally.