Erika J. Knapp, PhD

Erika J. Knapp, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Texas Woman’s University, specializing in early childhood, elementary education, and music for diverse learners. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Austin College, two master’s degrees from Central Michigan University (choral conducting and music education), and a Ph.D. in music education from Michigan State University. Before her career in higher education, she taught elementary general music, secondary general music, and middle school choir for 13 years in Michigan.

An active presenter and guest clinician/conductor, Dr. Knapp has shared her scholarship and passion for teaching at national and international venues for over 15 years, where she focuses on inclusive practice and empowering educators to create active, joyful musical experiences for their students. She is an Orff Pedagogy teacher for the American Orff Schulwerk Association and teaches levels I and II courses across the United States. Dr. Knapp serves on the editorial boards of Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education and The Orff Echo. Additionally, she is an ad hoc reviewer for several other peer-reviewed journals in music education. 

Dr. Knapp serves on the NAfME National Equity Committee, is on the TMEA College-Level DEIA committee, is on the planning committee for the Disability Studies in Music Education Biennial Conference, and is the program chair for the 2026 Early Childhood Music and Movement Association Biennial International Conference. Additionally, she is the Artistic Director for Resonance Sound Collective, a non-profit organization that empowers people of all abilities to create, perform, and connect through inclusive music ensemble programming.