51ĀŅĀ×

A Western Kentucky native, Dr. Austin Norrid is Assistant Professor of Instruction for Choral Music Education at 51ĀŅĀ× where he conducts Bella Voce and Choral Union and teaches coursework in music education and choral conducting. Dr. Norrid completed his Ph.D. in Music Education at the Pennsylvania State University. At Penn State, Norrid studied conducting with Dr. Christopher Kiver and Dr. Kathryn Hylton and assistant conducted University Choir and Oriana Singers. Norrid was also assistant conductor of Essence of Joy under the late Dr. Anthony Leach and served as interim director after Dr. Leachā€™s passing.

Dr. Norridā€™s research focuses on issues of inclusion, access, and belonging for music students and music educators with an emphasis on Emergent Multilingual Learners and the LGBTQ+ community. His dissertation, I Continue to Teach: The Life and Careers of Paula Grossman (1919ā€“2003), a Trans Music Educator, is a biography of an elementary vocal music teacher who was fired when she transitioned in 1971 and became the first person in U.S. history to sue for anti-trans discrimination in employment. Norrid has presented research and professional development sessions at state and national conferences and has guest lectured at universities across the U.S. on topics including Paula Grossmanā€™s life and careers, Emergent Multilingual Learners, World Music Pedagogy, and empathy in choral ensembles. His research has appeared in Arts Education Policy Review and The International Journal of Research in Choral Singing.

Prior to attending Penn State, Norrid taught choir, piano, and humanities at Iroquois High School in Louisville, KY and pre-K to 8^th grade general music at St. Leonard and St. Raphael Catholic Schools. Dr. Norrid also holds a masterā€™s degree in Music Education and bachelorā€™s degrees in Music Education and Spanish from the University of Kentucky.