About Alice
Dr. Alice Hammel is a widely known music educator, author, clinician, and consultant with diverse experience in music. As a disability specialist in music, she has vast experience teaching instrumental and choral music in public and private schools. She travels to serve as an in-residence scholar, keynote speaker, and headliner for conferences and events.
She has co-authored many books, chapters within books, and articles in the field of music and disability. Her books can be found at book retailers and online sites. She recently published a children’s book: The Girl Who Read to Alligators. Another new resource being released in December is Q&A for Band Directors on Students with Differences and Disabilities. Dr. Hammel was recently awarded the 2025 Shenandoah University Distinguished Alumni Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Notable Achievements and Initiatives
- Served as a member of the Teacher Education and Editorial Board Committees for the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE)
- 2023 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Lowell Mason Fellow
- Virginia Music Educator Association Outstanding Educator (2018)
- Awarded Shenandoah University Alumnae of Excellence Award (2016)
- Awarded James Madison University award celebrating her years of scholarship and service dedicated to the inclusion of all students in music education (2017)
- Former-President of the Virginia Music Educators Association
- Involved in John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Workshops
- Served on the committee for the Kennedy Center National Forum: Examining the Intersection of Arts Education and Special Education and their annual national conference
- 2024 Grammy Award Nominee
- A current member of the Equity Committee, and the The Music Teacher Professional Initiative Committee. Former member of National Executive Board for the National Association for Music Education
- Served on the Editorial Board of the Council for Exceptional Children – Division for the Arts
- Served as a former Member at Large for the Organization of American Kodály Educators
- Served as an expert with the National Association for Music Education’s Solutions Music Group
- Served as the President of the Council for Exceptional Children – Division for the Arts and was recently awarded their Past President Award for Excellence
I recently had the opportunity to work with Alice, who collaborated with our district’s K-5 music teams. I learned a ton through the experience such as strategies for winding, excellent movement activities, and books/manipulatives to use with my students.
I was fortunate enough to have Alice observe me teaching students. Her feedback was encouraging,specific, and extremely beneficial for supporting all of my students.
Since implementing her recommendations, I’ve noticed my students are more engaged, and I’m seeing progress not only in their grasp of musical concepts but also in their overall enthusiasm.
Laura Lo
Palo Alto Unified School District