Education
Ph.D. in Music Education May 2024
· University of Massachusetts Amherst
· Dissertation: Refugees’ Perceptions on the Benefits of Music Participation and Implications for the Music Education Profession
· Committee: Lisa Lehmberg (chair), Daniel Albert, Elizabeth Williams
· Cognate Area: Academic diversity in the music classroom
Master of Music in Music Education with Kodály Emphasis August 2013
· Capital University
· Kodály Certification
Bachelor of Music in Music Education December 2005
· Kent State University
Professional Appointments
Lecture in Music Education, University of Tennessee Knoxville 2024 – Present
Director of Music, Ranger College 2019 – 2021
Primary Research Interest
· Exploring ways in which music educators can support displaced children in their classrooms, specifically considering Trauma Informed Pedagogy
· Developing strategies to support academically diverse children in the music classroom, specifically in the large group rehearsal
Collegiate Teaching Experience
University of Tennessee Knoxville 2024 – Present
· Courses taught:
o General/Vocal Music Methods – Undergraduate Course
o Middle School Choral Methods – Undergraduate Course
o Supervision of Student Teachers – Undergraduate Course
o Student Teaching Seminar – Undergraduate Course
o Field Placement – Undergraduate Course
o Research Methods in Music Education – Graduate Course
o Seminar in Music Education – Graduate Course
o Independent Study – Graduate Course
o Served on four comprehensive exam committees for the 2024-2025 academic year
o Will serve on three comprehensive exam committees for the 2025-2026 academic year
o Supervised three capstone research projects for the 2024-2025 academic year
o Will supervise two capstone research projects for the 2025-2026 academic year
· Additional Responsibilities within the College of Music
o Authored the music education section of the 2025 NASM Report
o Authored the music education section of the 2025 CAEP Report
o Co-wrote and presented new College of Music learning objectives
o Curriculum mapping of College of Music learning objectives
o Faculty advisor for CNAFME
o Advised graduate and undergraduate students
o Organized student teaching and field placements
o Oversaw admissions to teacher education applications
o Served on the Bylaws Committee
o Served on the Vol Core (general education) Committee
o Served on the College of Education Assessment Committee
· Responsibilities with the College of Education
o Created a new method for collecting clinical experience data
o Assisted in developing an enhanced observation model as a licensure requirement
o Co-created a new database for the college
o Organized data for the CAEP reporting process
o Assisted in the creation of training materials for clinical experience supervisors
University Of Massachusetts Amherst 2021 – 2024
· Graduate teaching associate for music education courses:
o Choral Methods
o Elementary Music Methods
o Student Teaching Seminar
· Supervision and evaluation of student teachers
o Nine teachers in 17 different classrooms
Ranger College 2019 – 2023
· Director of Music 2019 - 2021
· Instructor for undergraduate courses:
o University Choral (SATB ensemble)
o SA Ensemble
o TB Ensemble
o Resounding Rangers (pop A Cappella ensemble)
o Music Appreciation
o Survey of American Music
o Music Theory
o Private Instruction – voice, piano, guitar
· Adjunct professor 2021-2023
o Music Appreciation
Public (K-12) School Teaching Experience
Jackson City Schools – Jackson, Ohio 2018 – 2019
· Courses taught:
o High School Concert Choir (SATB ensemble), SA Choir, TB Choir
o Act Natural (pop A Cappella ensemble)
o Middle School 8th Grade Choir, 7th Grade Choir
o 6th Grade General Music
· Musical director and lighting and sound designer for theater productions
· Student Honors
o Act Natural was selected to perform at the Ohio Association of School Principals State Conference
o All three high school ensembles received superior ratings at large group contest
o Four students were selected for participation in the Ohio All-State Choir, and one student was selected for participation in the NAFME National Choir
Newark City Schools – Newark, Ohio 2010 – 2018
· Courses taught at Liberty Middle School:
o Choirs: 8th Grade Combined Choir, 7th Grade Combined Choir, 6th Grade Choir, TB Choir, SA Choir
o 6th Grade General Music
o Fine Arts Exploration
o Broadcast Journalism
· Director for the annual Pops Concert
o Responsibilities included selecting and teaching songs, collaborating with artists to create song tracks for the performance, choreography, set design and construction, costume design and construction, fundraising for the performance, advertising, managing ticket and ad sales, lighting and sound design, creating program
· Student Honors
o Selected to perform at the 2017 Ohio Music Education Professional Development Conference
o Selected to serve as the demonstration choir for the Kodaly Institute at Capital University
o Numerous superior and excellent ratings at large group contest
Barnesville Exempted Village School District – Barnesville, Ohio 2007 – 2010
· Courses taught:
o Choirs: High School Choir, Middle School Choir
o 7th – 12th Grade Combined Band
o Music Theory
o 5th and 6th Grade General Music
· Musical Director
o Responsibilities included selecting and licensing productions, blocking performances, acting coach, choreography, collaborating with artists to create song tracks for the performance, set design and construction, costume design and construction, fundraising for the performance, advertising, managing ticket and ad sales, lighting and sound design, creating program
· Marching Band Director
o Responsibilities included selecting and teaching music, writing field drills, overseeing color guard and majorette instructors, supporting fundraising efforts, organizing travel
· Show Choir Director
o Responsibilities included selecting and teaching music, designing and teaching choreography, costume selection, organizing trips and performances, working with accompanying musicians
Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Local School District – Ripley, Ohio 2006 – 2007
· Courses taught at R-U-L-H Middle and High Schools
o Choirs: High School Choir, Middle School Choir
o Class Piano
o Music Theory
o Drama
· Music director and choreographer for musical theater productions
· Director for drama productions
o Responsibilities included selecting and licensing productions, blocking performances, acting coach, set design and construction, costume design and construction, fundraising for the performance, advertising, managing ticket and ad sales, lighting and sound design, creating program
· Coach for middle and high school mock trial teams
· Student accomplishments
o Organized and ran a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, raising over $2,500
Private Instruction 2007 - 2017
o Instruction on voice, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, baritone
Conference Presentations
· Wiseman, J. R., Adkins, J., Holtz, E., Rearden, K., Stott, A., Wallace, K. (2025, September 8). An Enhanced Observation Model: One Educator Preparation Program’s Response to the EdTPA Elimination. Tennessee Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Conference, Franklin, Tennessee.
· Wiseman, J. R. (2024, January 12). Refugees’ perceptions on music participation: What educators should know. [Conference research poster presentation]. Florida Music Education Association State Conference, Tampa, Florida.
· Wiseman, J. R. (2023, October 13). Refugees’ perceptions on music participation: What educators should know. [Conference research poster presentation]. Society for Music Teacher Education Symposium, Salt Lake City, Utah.
· Mamba, A., Nduka, D. J., Rufas, L., Sibiya, N., Wiseman, J. R. (2023, February 18). Refugee Dialogue Series [The role of art and music for mental health for refugees]. Clever Minds of Refugees International, online.
· Wiseman, J. R. (2022, July 17-22). Montague sings. [Voice of My Country Video] International Society for Music Education, online.
· Wiseman, J. R., (2017, February 2 and 4). Projecting success: Using projection to encourage differentiation and literacy in the choral classroom. Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference, Cleveland, Ohio.
· Wiseman, J. R., (2015). What is differentiation? Newark City Schools Professional Development Seminar, Newark, Ohio.
Publications in preparation
Refugees’ perceptions on music participation: What educators should know
This phenomenological study explores refugees' perceptions on the benefits of music participation. Nine refugees were interviewed and discussed why they participate in music, what they gain from this participation, and advice they have for public school music teachers.
Using bucket drumming as a tool for differentiation
Students in today’s classroom often have extremely diverse academic needs and abilities. In mixed-ability classrooms, one way to accomplish this is through differentiated instruction. In this article, I identify common forms of differentiation and demonstrate how a 5-gallon bucket might help reach the diversity of learners in your classroom. Included are descriptions of performance and composition activities that utilize scaffolding, approximation, and other forms of differentiation.
Conducting observations from a phenomenological perspective
This methodological paper discusses the philosophical background of phenomenology as well as the two main approaches, descriptive and hermeneutic, to the methodology. Using this knowledge, I propose a model for conducting research observations from a phenomenological perspective.
Responses to a new enhanced observation model: Perspectives from supervisors, mentors, and teacher candidates
In the fall of 2025, the University of Tennessee Knoxville implemented a new enhanced observation model built around a more formative clinical experience. Central to the model was a clinical experience tracker. This paper explores the experiences of university supervisors, mentor teachers, and teacher candidates during the use of this new observation model.
Facilitating the paring of art, music, and poetry with elementary students
In the fall of 2025, I worked with a professor and former poet laureate to create and teach a curriculum to an after-school music club. The curriculum centered around pairing art, music, and poetry. As a final component of the curriculum, students will visit a local art gallery and compose original music in response to pieces of art.
Other Significant Studies
Montague sings: The music of a pandemic
Differentiated instruction in the music classroom
Strategies for working with ESL students in the music classroom
Strategies for teaching musically advanced students
Strategies for encouraging performance majors to gain teaching experience
Musical interventions for youth who face adversities
Administrative Positions
Office of Academic Planning and Assessment – University of Massachusetts Amherst 2022-2024
· Graduate Assistant
o Responsibilities include coding open-ended data, creating visual representations of survey data, writing communications to departments, creating website content
· Graduate Assistant on Academic Assessment Council – assisted with evaluating learning objectives and teaching effectiveness at the university level.
o Created and distributed the evaluation tools and materials and designed a formula and format for distributing the results to departments.
o Collected assignment prompts to evaluate for institution effectiveness.
General Education Council – University of Massachusetts Amherst 2022-2024
· Graduate Assistant responsibilities include council communications, communications with departments, annual IE survey coordinator, meeting agendas and minutes, reviewing proposals
Music and Dance Business Office – University of Massachusetts Amherst 2022-2023
Director of Music – Ranger College 2019-2021
· Responsible for program recruitment
· Served as an academic advisor for the campus
· Member of the strategic planning committee
o Focused on training university personnel on effective communication with and teaching of English Language Learners
· Member of the recruitment steering committee
· Member of the student social committee
· Served on the hiring committee for the next director of music and adjunct faculty
· Construction and maintenance of the department website
Theater Education Director – Weathervane Playhouse 2016-2018
· Responsibilities included planning instruction, scheduling performances, hiring faculty, managing budgets, recruiting students, fundraising, advertising, creating newsletters, website construction and maintenance
· Director – Beauty and the Beast
· Music Director – Les Misérables, Addams Family, Shrek Jr., State Fair Jr., Panda and the Moon, The Magic in Me
· Choreographer – Shrek Jr., Panda and the Moon, The Magic in Me
· Set Designer – Beauty and the Beast, Panda and the Moon
· Costume Designer – Panda and the Moon, Shrek Jr.
· Director and Choreographer for “The Troupe” ambassador ensemble
· Instructor – Vocal Training for Actors, Acting for Young Actors, Private Voice
Service
· International Journal of Music Education – Reviewer
· 2025 Innovative Teaching & Learning Conference – Reviewer
· Southern Appalachian American Orff Schulwerk Association – Professional Development Clinician
· Rehearsal Clinician – All East Middle School Honor Choir
· Volunteer for Welcoming Alliance for Refugee Ministry (WARM)
· Guest Clinician – Eastland Children’s Choir, Eastland, Texas
· Guest Lecturer – Kodály Institute’s master’s degree program at Capital University
· Provided students for various demonstrations and lectures at the Kodály Institute at Capital University
· Identification panel for giftedness in fine and performing arts
Professional Memberships
· Tennessee Music Education Association
· National Association for Music Education
· International Society for Music Education
· Delta Omicron
· American Choral Director’s Association
· Organization of American Kodály Educators