Next in the series is Dr. Nicole R. Robinson, Founder and CEO of Cultural Connections by Design.
Background: Dr. Nicole Robinson earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from North Carolina Central University, a historically black college and university, and a PhD in music education from Florida State University.
Career & Music Involvement: Dr. Robinson’s passion for music education began when her thrice-great aunt, who started piano lessons at 87, taught her the fingering for scales. This sparked her interest in music, and her mother enrolled her in piano lessons when she was in kindergarten. While attending North Carolina Central University, a historically black college and university, Dr. Robinson initially considered a major in math, but fell in love with music theory due to its similarities to math. She pursued a degree in music education, where she discovered her passion for using music to creatively reach children who may not connect with traditional education.
Her first job after graduating from college was teaching music at R.N. Harris Elementary School, an urban school in Durham, NC, where she received mentorship from a principal who encouraged her to think outside the box in her teaching and stretch students to their fullest potential. This experience shaped her thoughts on how best to serve those in urban schools. Dr. Robinson then pursued a master’s degree, followed by a PhD in music education, which led to a career in academia. She served as head of the Music Education division at the University of Memphis, where she reshaped the music education curriculum and developed the only PhD program in music education degree program in Tennessee.
After time at Virginia Commonwealth University and Syracuse University, she became a Presidential Endowed Professor in music education and later served as Associate Vice President of Equity and Diversity at the University of Utah, where she developed a teaching tool called the Matrix of Intersectionality. She developed these teaching tools to help her music education students understand the nuances of diversity and inclusivity they would encounter in music classrooms as school demographics became increasingly diverse. While she initially crafted the learning tools to serve as a teaching tool for future educators, demand for her sessions grew and were requested at colleges and universities across the nation. Soon, she was also conducting her seminars in the corporate world — sparking the founding of her company, which now presents to organizations ranging from Harley Davidson to Domo to the U.S. Department of Education.
Dr. Robinson eventually resigned from her position at the University of Utah to launch Cultural Connections by Design, a company that provides workshops on diversity and equity in music education. Over the past four years, more than 100 colleges and universities have participated in more than 960 workshops created and led by Dr. Robinson.
Love for Music: “Art, particularly music, has the potential to be a powerful tool in addressing social justice issues. It has the power to bring a sense of balance and connectedness, allowing one to tap into a universal language that transcends borders and cultures. Music can serve as a platform for meaningful conversations and can help bridge divides by creating a shared understanding of complex topics.”
How did she learn about The Presser Foundation?: As a music education professor, she was already familiar with the work of The Presser Foundation. However, after relocating to Philadelphia in 2018, she had the opportunity to further connect with the foundation through Dr. Rollo Dilworth, a vice dean and professor at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, who serves on the foundation’s board.
Through this connection, she was able to gain a deeper understanding of the foundation’s mission and initiatives, which aim to support music education and promote musical excellence through grants and scholarships.
Committee Member Since: 2022
Role at the Foundation: Committee Member – Advancement of Music Committee
What is she looking forward to at the Foundation?: She appreciates that the foundation is responsive to changing times and is taking steps to incorporate DEI principles into all aspects of its practices, processes, and operations. She looks forward to working with the foundation towards creating a more equitable and inclusive environment for all individuals involved in music education and performance.
Impact of the Foundation: Although she is still learning as a new committee member, she is excited to contribute to The Presser Foundation’s work towards promoting musical excellence and advancing DEI in music education. She looks forward to seeing the foundation’s continued positive impact and is eager to be a part of it.
What does she do in her free time?: Having recently tied the knot, she cherishes spending quality time with her husband, daughter, close friends, and loved ones. Creating precious memories with those who matter most to her is a top priority.
