David Dockan
Assistant Professor of Music Education
Biography
Dr. David Dockan is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Louisiana State University. Driven by his goal of helping more students make more music in more spaces, his work bridges dynamic classroom practice with rigorous academic inquiry. In recognition of his impact on the field, he was named a 2026 Yamaha "40 Under 40" honoree.
Dr. Dockan earned a Bachelor of Music (BM) from West Virginia University, a Master of Music (MM) from Kent State University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) from The University of Kentucky. He is also a fully certified Orff Schulwerk teacher at the Eastman School of Music.
Dockan’s research centers on belonging, agency, and democracy in music education spaces, with specialized focus in Orff Schulwerk and Modern Band approaches. His scholarly work is widely published in premier academic journals, including the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Research Studies in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, the Music Educators Journal, and The Orff Echo. Additionally, his research and methodologies have been featured in multiple book chapters published by Oxford University Press, GIA Publications, and Mixolydian Books.
As an educator, Dockan started his career in public schools as an elementary and middle school music teacher in Virginia’s Prince George County Public Schools. At LSU, he teaches a range of courses, including Elementary Music Methods, Teaching Music in Diverse Settings, Foundations of Music Education, and specialized seminars in popular and commercial music techniques. Beyond LSU, he is an internationally requested clinician and presenter, frequently leading interactive workshops on Orff Schulwerk, Modern Band, and strategies for fostering belonging in music education.
Dedicated to the ongoing advancement of the music education profession, Dr. Dockan maintains an active profile of national service and leadership. He currently serves on the Editorial Board for The Orff Echo and acts as the co-chair of the Mountain Lake Colloquium for Teachers of General Music Methods. Further, he serves as the Southern Division Representative for the National Association for Music Education's (NAfME) Innovations Council and is a member of the Elementary Music Committee for Music for All. He also serves as the collegiate representative for the Red Stick Orff Schulwerk chapter.
