Dr. Cameron R. Siegal

Cameron R. Siegal, Ph. D., is a full-time PreK–5 music teacher in the Dartmouth, Massachusetts, public schools and an adjunct music education faculty member at Rhode Island College. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from University of Oregon, a Master of Music in Performance in jazz studies from Florida State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Western Oregon University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Dr. Siegal’s research interests include individuals’ perceptions of belonging in music ensembles, persistence in music beyond high school, and promoting engagement in music for individuals with profound or severe intellectual disability. He has presented sessions at National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Biennial National Conference, the International Society for Music Education (ISME) International Conference, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education (PASMAE) Conference, and state music education conferences in Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Vermont. His articles have appeared in Psychology of Music, Research Studies in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of General Music Education, and Massachusetts Music Educators Journal. Dr. Siegal presented the keynote address at the Vermont Music Educators Association 2023 Conference and received the Fern Ridge School District (OR) Distinguished Educator of the Year award in 2019.

Dr. Siegal’s experiences in western and non-western styles inform his approach to teaching, research, and performance. His interest in diverse traditions led to field experience in Adowa funeral drumming in the Asante Region of Ghana, West Africa, and the samba-reggae tradition of Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. He founded and directed Duck Samba at the University of Oregon. Under his direction, the ensemble collaborated with drum masters Gustavo and Guilherme Oliveira of the renowned Salguero Samba School of Rio de Janeiro. He has also studied Balinese and Javanese Gamelan and the steel pan music of Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Siegal’s ability to effectively navigate world styles led to collaborations with Dr. John, Marvio Ciribelli, Jorge Continentino, Dr. Cassio Vianna, Choro das Tres, Obuamah Laud Addy, Scotty Barnhart, Dr. Carlos Odria, and many other musicians from a wide range of genres. In the wind ensemble genre, Dr. Siegal directed the Umpqua Community College (Roseburg, OR) Symphonic Band and conducted the University of Oregon Wind Symphony.

Dr. Siegal lives in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, with his wife, Jaclyn, and two children, Jude and Cora. An avid mariner, he holds a US Coast Guard Masters credential with towing endorsement.