Dr. Jennifer Whitaker is Professor of Music Education and Associate Chair of the Department of Music at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research interests include music teacher effectiveness; technology in music teaching; and diversity, equity, and inclusion in music. She has presented research across the United States and the world including in Azerbaijan, Brazil, China, England, Finland, Greece, Scotland, and the United Arab Emirates. Whitaker’s research is published in peer reviewed journals such as the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Journal of Band Research, American Journal of Distance Education, and in several Proceedings of the International Society for Music Education Research Commission Seminar.

Whitaker is currently serving a six-year term as the Canadian and United States Commissioner for the International Society for Music Education (ISME) Research Commission. She previously served on the editorial board of the International Journal of Music Education: Research and frequently serves as a guest reviewer for peer reviewed journals and music conferences. Whitaker also co-hosted the 25th Clifford K. Madsen International Symposium on Research in Music Behavior in March 2024. Prior to her appointment as Associate Chair in 2020, she served as Coordinator of Music Education for the Department of Music (2016 – 2020) and Coordinator of Diversity Initiatives for the College of Arts + Architecture (2019 – 2020).

Whitaker received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from George Mason University, and a Master of Music in Music Education and a Ph.D. in Music Education from Louisiana State University. She is a member of the International Society for Music Education, NAfME: The National Association for Music Education, the Clifford K. Madsen International Symposium on Research in Music Behavior, the College Music Society, and Pi Kappa Lambda honor society.