Biography
Dr. Sommer Forrester serves as Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Toronto. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Forrester serves as the Coordinator of Music Education and conducts the University of Toronto Wind Symphony. Prior to her appointment at UofT, Forrester served as Associate Professor of Music at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she taught courses in music education and conducted the UMass Boston Orchestra. In 2018, she was awarded the Community Engaged Innovation Teaching Award by UMass Boston
As a scholar of music teacher education, Dr. Forrester’s research explores music teacher education and knowledge, curriculum development and conducting pedagogy. She is invested in research to practice as a means of deepening the connections between higher education, pre- and in-service teachers and community partners. Dr. Forrester is published in prominent peer-reviewed research journals and practitioner journals, including the Journal of Research in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and the Massachusetts Music Educator. Dr. Forrester has presented her research to national and international audiences, and she currently serves on the executive board for the Society for Music Teacher Education and the editorial board for the Journal of Music Teacher Education. Dr. Forrester is an active guest conductor and clinician in North America and the Middle East.
Dr. Forrester earned a PhD in Music Education with a cognate in Wind Conducting from the University of Michigan, as well as a Master of Music Education from the same institution; a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto; and an Honours Bachelor of Music Education from Western University. A former K–12 classroom teacher, Dr. Forrester taught music in Canada, Palestine, Israel and Kuwait.
Dr. Forrester is guest conductor for the HPYO summer intensive program Tune Up! happening August 18-21, 2025.