Elise S Sobol, Ed.D.
The backjacket of my newest text titled, " An Approach for Teaching Music to Diverse Learners: A Neuro-Inclusive Resource, 4th edition" describes my journey in PK-16 general, special and higher education. I am a board certified special educator with a doctorate in education whose research on music assisted learning, drives my continued interest in the field.
Author/Educator/Pianist, Elise S. Sobol, Ed.D., B.C.S.E. is recognized as an innovative, inspirational, instructional and visionary global leader in the field of inclusive music education. She served as the New York State School Music Association Chairperson for Music for Special Learners, 1993-2019. Retired as music teacher for students with disabilities from the Nassau BOCEs Rosemary Kennedy School and as New York University's Steinhardt Director of Music Education, she combines over forty years of music teaching experience PK-16 in general, special, and higher education with current adjunct teaching on the faculties of LIU Post and NYU. She is noted for her international professional development programs, "Building Bridges for Learning with Music" and "Reaching Higher with Music in Education" as well as her dedicated fundraising concerts to support community causes. Her 2014 dissertation published in ProQuest, "Autism Research: Music Aptitude's Effect on Developmental/Academic Gains for Students with Significant Cognitive/Language Delays" presented music as a way to build cognition. Four distinct recommendations for practice were given as a result of the research: 1) There are instructional techniques effective through mediated learning experiences that can promote music learning with target population. 2) Music learning can be measured and demonstrates a positive impact on mathematics concept development. 3) Music lessons can incorporate learning activities and dialogue across a variety of curricular areas. 4) Music instruction can be designed in a way that promotes increased levels of independent functioning for the target population. Dr. Sobol is author of An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners, first, second, third and foreign language editions. Her fourth edition will be out this coming August 2025 as a Bloomsbury Academic title, An Approach for Teaching Diverse Learners: A Neuro-Inclusive Resource, 4th Edition https://www.bloomsbury.com/9798881808044/.
Interests
Dr. Elise Sobol remains active in the field. She serves in various capacities: as Co-President of the Belle Voci Intergenerational Choral Society; as an Advisory Board member of Fundacion Muchila Creativo, Aruba; Advisory Board member of Music Educators Association of New York City; and an Advisory Board member of the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education where she also serves as a Steering Committee member for LNAAE - the Leadership Network for Accessible Arts Education. She is a member in the honor society Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) and professional educational organization Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) along with professional music associations as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), Music Education Association of New York City (MEANYC), International Society for Music Education (ISME), and Association for Popular Music Education (APME). As a mentor she delights in paying forward her experience to the next generations by sharing her joy of music and its transformative qualities. This centers my interest in all things neuroarts - the interdisciplinary pathway for the arts to positively shape science, behavior, health and wellness.