2023 Metcalf Cup and Prize Recipient: Karen Hendricks

Karin S. Hendricks is an associate professor of music and chair of the Department of Music Education at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts. Professor Hendricks has inspired countless students through her courses on instrumental music education, psychology and sociology of music, and social justice and music.

As she wrote in her book Compassionate Music Teaching, she considers herself “a learning companion” with her students. According to her course evaluations, students find the atmosphere of shared discovery exhilarating: “I felt pushed out of my comfort zone,” one student commented, “but always in a way that encouraged me to try something new in a safe environment.” Another said, “I enjoyed every minute of this course and am excited for future work in this field.”

Professor Hendricks earned a BM in cello performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a BA in German studies from Oberlin College. She earned a PhD in music education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Before joining BU in 2015, Professor Hendricks held faculty appointments at the University of Illinois and Ball State University. Before that, she taught music in the Utah public school system for 13 years. Her accolades include Teacher of the Year honors and a United States Presidential Scholars Program Teacher Recognition Award.

Professor Hendricks has published seven books, including most recently The Oxford Handbook of Care in Music Education. She has contributed dozens of book chapters and published more than 50 journal articles on everything from stage fright to the role of empathy in music. She has held numerous state, national, and international music education leadership positions and is currently president-elect of the American String Teachers Association.

According to colleagues, Professor Hendricks has transformed the Department of Music Education through extensive curriculum reform and by modeling the highest standard of teaching excellence. The director of CFA’s School of Music, says, “The department is now considered—nationally and internationally—one of the top music education programs for undergraduate and graduate study.”