Alumni

Music Education Helps Others Find the Right Note

When James Dorsey arrived at UMBC in 2002 to major in music performance and composition, becoming an educator was not the original plan. However, this fall he marks his 19^th year of teaching music and performance to the elementary school students in the Prince George’s County Public School system.

“I didn’t have pedagogy as part of my undergrad experience when I started at UMBC,” says Dorsey, who received UMBC’s 2023 alumni award for the performing and visual arts. “I really had to rely on my artistry to help me connect with young learners and help them grow musically.”