Member of the Symposium

Dr. Deborah Hutchings-Mitchell is Director of Music Education at California State University Long Beach where she has served for twelve years as undergraduate/graduate advisor for students enrolled in the music education and credential programs. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in the BM, MA, and credential programs, and supervises student teachers.

Dr. Mitchell also serves as Advocacy Chair for CMEA (California Association for Music Education), Chair of CCME (California Coalition for Music Education) and is Past-President of the Western Division of MENC (National Association for Music Education).

Dr. Mitchell received her D.M.A. in 1985 from the University of Southern California, her M.M.Ed. in 1969 from the Hartt College of Music, University of Hartford, and her B.M.Ed. in 1967 also from the Hartt College of Music.  During her 35-year teaching career she has taught choral, instrumental, and general music in public schools in Virgina, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and California as well as serving on the faculty at UCLA, USC, and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.  Dr. Mitchell, a violinist and string specialist, studied with Shinichi Suzuki in Matsumoto, Japan and formerly taught at the Colburn School in Los Angeles and her private studio.

Dr. Mitchell is a passionate advocate for music education and has conducted research on factors contributing to the success and delivery of music education in both Massachusetts and California public schools.  Dr. Mitchell has provided numerous advocacy workshops for teachers and parents, and in the late 90’s, with representatives of NAMM (International Music Products Industry) and CCME, and was instrumental in assisting Irvine parents and music teachers in preventing serious financial cuts to the district music program.  She has presented advocacy sessions for numerous California schools districts and parent organizations, and also state and national conferences.

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