I keep up my academic work through publications, conference presentations, professional development, workshops, and lectures.

​My research interests include the relational nature of music and music education, social justice and equity in string education, and designing community-focused, culturally relevant string curricula. I am also active in disability rights advocacy in higher education settings.

You can view some of my work below. If you're interested in collaborating with me as a co-author, you can reach me through the contact form at the bottom of this page.

Publications
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (in press). Alternative to what? Alternative strings, colonialism, and decolonizing the string curriculum. American String Teacher.
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (2021). Beyond book one: A culturally relevant approach for strings. American Suzuki Journal, 50(1), 40-43.
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (2021). Teaching sul tasto: Making string ensembles accessible for students with light and sound sensitivities. American String Teacher. doi: 10.1177/0003131321999598 
  • ​Lysaker, M. Y. (2021). The music of the Harlem Renaissance: Performance and analysis for contemporary young musicians. In Harlem Renaissance Centennial Project Education Guide, The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery. https://wallach.columbia.edu/curriculum-guide-harlem-renaissance#
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (2021). Building equity in the string classroom through reflective practice: Questions for self-reflection. American String Teacher, 70(1), 57-59. doi: 10.1177/0003131320975875 
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (2020). Creating a judgment-free environment: Strategies for the classroom, ensemble, and applied studio. American String Teacher 70(2), 39-41. doi: 10.1177/0003131320909132 

Conference Presentations
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (2022). Progressive string education: Building equitable string programs from the ground up [Conference presentation]. American String Teachers Association 2022 National Conference, Atlanta, GA, United States.
    Lysaker, M. Y. (2022). Accessibility in the applied studio: Welcoming students with disabilities [Conference presentation]. American String Teachers Association 2022 National Conference, Atlanta, GA, United States.
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (2021). Alternative to what? Alternative strings, colonialism, and decolonizing the string curriculum [Conference presentation]. American String Teachers Association 2021 National Conference, United States.
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (2021). Nothing about us without us: Where are the disabled voices in string education? [Conference presentation]. American String Teachers Association 2021 National Conference, United States.
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (2021). Seeking windows and mirrors: The cultural content of beginning string method books [Research poster]. American String Teachers Association 2021 National Conference, United States.
  • Lysaker, M. Y. (2020). Teaching toward connection: How music teachers address and observe student-instrument relationships [Research poster]. American String Teachers Association 2020 National Conference, Orlando, FL, United States. [PDF]

Professional Development
​“Progressive Pedagogy: Enacting Progressive Philosophies in a Traditional Reality”
SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music 
Guest Lecture, Department of Music Education

“Your Music Is Essential: Building Equitable Music Programs from the Ground Up”    
Reimagining Education: Teaching, Learning, and Leading for a Racially Just Society Summer Institute  
Teachers College, Columbia University    
Workshop    

​“Teaching The Harlem Renaissance in the 21st Century”  
by Erica Walker, kecia hayes, Jennifer Mock, Katie Harlan-Eller, Judy Burton,
Margaret Banks, Ayelet Aldouby, Anne Lattner, Stephanie Boggs, Carina Maye,
Mercedes Lysaker, Rachel Mewes, Sarah Gerth van den Berg, Elaine Perlmane
Reimagining Education: Teaching, Learning, and Leading for a Racially Just Society
Summer Institute    
Teachers College, Columbia University    
Plenary Symposium

“Groove for Cello, Laptop, and Voice”    
Youth Orchestra of St. Lukes
Professional Development Demo

​“Mapping the Beginning Cello”    
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Guest lecture for MUS-F 261: String Class Techniques I

Upcoming Manuscripts
  • Seeking Windows and Mirrors: The Cultural Content of Beginning String Method Books [PDF]
  • I and Thou: Finding ‘Thou’ in the Musician-Instrument Relationship [PDF]
  • Nothing About Us Without Us: The Positionality of Disabled Voices in Music Education Research
  • An Analysis of Composers by Country of Origin in Six Beginning String Method Books
  • Cultural Representation in the Suzuki Method: An Analysis of Composers in Cello Volumes 1-10

    Get in touch!