Matthew Talbert, Director of the School of Music and Associate Professor of Music Education, joined the faculty at Ohio University in the fall of 2016. In this role, Dr. Talbert supervises all degree programs, curriculum, and daily operations. Additionally, Dr. Talbert coordinates the online Master of Music Education degree.

Prior to his appointment at Ohio University, Dr. Talbert served on the faculty at Berea College in Berea, KY. While at Berea, Dr. Talbert taught courses in Music Education and directed the Berea College Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. Dr. Talbert enjoyed a successful tenure as a public-school teacher in North Carolina, where ensembles under his direction consistently earned superior ratings and students earned placement in district and state honor bands.

Dr. Talbert’s current research interests include the manner in which adult amateur musicians process music, the role of mentoring in aiding in teacher retention and lesson planning strategies of pre-service teachers. Dr. Talbert has been published in leading music education journals including the Journal of Music Teacher Education, International Journal of Community Music, Journal of Band Research, Contributions to Music Education, among others.  Dr. Talbert is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Ohio Music Educators Association, the National Band Association and Pi Kappa Lambda. Dr. Talbert currently serves as the editor of the National Band Association Journal. Dr. Talbert currently resides in Athens, with his wife, Jaclyn and their two children, Davis and Gracie.

Educational Background

• Ph.D. – Music Education, University of South Carolina (2012)
• MM – Music Education, Appalachian State University (2005)
• BM – Music Education, Appalachian State University (2004)