Keith Kaiser is the Charles A. Dana -- Professor of Music Education, and he has served as Dean, Associate Dean & Assessment Coordinator for the School of Music and as Chair of the Department of Music Education. Dr. Kaiser holds degrees from the Florida State University (Ph.D.), the University of Redlands (M.M.), and the University of Wyoming (B.M.). As a faculty member at Ithaca College, he has received a Faculty Excellence Award, and he teaches undergraduate and graduate music education courses, supervises junior and senior level student teachers, and conducts various instrumental music ensembles. Kaiser was recently recognized by the College with a Student Affairs and Campus Life Faculty Appreciation Award for his commitment to and work on behalf of students. In addition, he has served as co-conductor of the Ithaca Concert Band (a community ensemble) and as conductor of the Signature Syracuse Concert Band (a concert band for inner-city youth).
Dr. Kaiser is active throughout the country as a guest conductor, presenter, clinician, adjudicator and consultant, and he was co-recipient of a highly-selective Sounds of Learning grant to study the functions of music education in American Public Schools. A Presser Scholar, he is published in Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, School Music News, Reverberations, Journal of Music Therapy, Journal of Artistic and Creative Education, and International Society for Music Education (ISME) Commission for Policy: Culture, Education, Mass Media, and his professional affiliations have included the Music Educators National Conference, the New York State School Music Association, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpa, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, the College Music Society, the College Band Directors National Association, the National Band Association, and the American Music Therapy Association. Kaiser has presented at National Association for Music Educators Conferences (national and regional), the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conference, New York State School Music Association Conferences, the Southeastern College Band Directors Association Conference, the Society for Music Teacher Education Symposium, the New York State Band Director's Association Symposium, the American Music Therapy National Conference, the World Congress of Music Therapy, the College Music Society (national and regional), the American Education Research Association, and the Ithaca College Music Educator's Retreat; additionally, his research has been highlighted at the International Society for Music Education and the Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Education.
Recognized in the International Directory of Distinguished Leadership, in Great Minds of the 21st Century, and in several editions of Who's Who, Dr. Kaiser has taught elementary, middle, and high school in Wyoming, Florida, and California — where he was founder and conductor of the University of Redlands’ Wind Ensemble for Young Musicians. Among Kaiser's most gratifying honors are: being named a Charles A. Dana professor, receiving the Ithaca College Faculty Excellence Award and the Student Affairs and Campus Life Faculty Appreciation Award, being acknowledged for his support of public school music programs with a named scholarship that provides needs-based assistance for area youth to attend a local music program, serving as founder and director of the Ithaca Concert ("community") Band's Adopt-a-Band Program that resulted in an Ithaca Foundation Award for Excellence, and having his Torrington (Wy) High School Band being recognized with a Community Service award for its extensive service and contributions to the local and surrounding communities.