Dr. Nicole R. Robinson, Division Head and Assistant Professor of Music, earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Music Education from North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC) and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education from Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL). Dr. Robinson began her appointment in Fall 2000, restructuring the undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education. Dr. Robinson's previous teaching experiences include elementary general music (grades K-5), middle school chorus (grades 6-8) in the North Carolina Public School System and Instructor of Music Education at Florida State University (1999-2000). In 2003-2004, Dr. Robinson served as visiting professor and Director of Music Education at Virginia Commonwealth University, (Richmond, VA) where she developed and implemented a Master of Music in Music Education Degree. Her professional and research interests include effective pre-service teacher preparation, teacher training, curriculum development, music and literacy, and using music to reach and educate "at-risk" students. Dr. Robinson is currently serving as CMENC State Advisor for the Tennessee Music Education Association. She has presented workshops, clinics, and research on the state, regional, and national levels and has published in various professional journals.