James Reifinger
James L. Reifinger, Jr. serves as Director of the School of Theater and Dance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and is a tenured Associate Professor of Music Education. His work spans arts education, academic leadership, teacher preparation, and research on learning in the performing arts.
He holds a D.M.E. from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, an M.Ed. in Special Education from Lehigh University, and M.M. and B.M. degrees from Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania at Mansfield. He also completed Kodály certification at New York University and has additional training in Dalcroze, Orff, and Music Learning Theory.
Prior to entering higher education, Dr. Reifinger taught general, vocal, and instrumental music in K–12 public and private schools in Pennsylvania for more than fifteen years. His experience across elementary, secondary, collegiate, and community settings informs his commitment to student success, artistic development, and educational access in the performing arts.
Dr. Reifinger's scholarly work examines music cognition, music literacy development, assessment, and the ways in which individuals learn and engage with the arts across the lifespan. His research has appeared in leading journals including the Journal of Research in Music Education, UPDATE: Applications of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, General Music Today, and Psychomusicology: Music, Mind and Brain. He has presented nationally and internationally at conferences focused on music education, assessment, cognition, and arts learning.
In addition to his administrative and scholarly work, Dr. Reifinger remains active as a performer and church musician. He currently serves as Organist and Choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah, Kentucky.