Dr. Susan de Ghizé is a Professor of Music Theory at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where she also serves as Program Coordinator and Theory & Aural Skills Coordinator. She earned her Ph.D. in Music Theory from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her B.A. in Music from the University of California, Berkeley. With extensive experience teaching musicianship, aural skills, and form & analysis, Dr. de Ghizé emphasizes accessibility and innovation in music theory pedagogy. Her commitment to student success is evident through her thoughtful course design, individualized support, and dedication to helping students develop strong analytical and aural skills. As an advocate for students who struggle with music theory, she works to create an inclusive learning environment that fosters confidence and growth for all learners.

Beyond teaching, Dr. de Ghizé is an accomplished scholar with research interests spanning music theory and analysis. She has presented at national and international conferences, and published book chapters and journal articles on topics ranging from Mozart’s common-tone modulations to rhythmically developing variations in Brahms. Her work also explores the contributions of 19th-century theorist Moritz Hauptmann and 20th-century composer-theorist Arnold Schoenberg, particularly their approaches to meter and musical structure. She is a frequent conference presenter and an active member of professional organizations such as the College Music Society.

Dr. de Ghizé’s research on music pedagogy complements her teaching, focusing on innovative methods to improve music theory instruction. She has authored an open educational resource titled Steps to Music Theory and also created two websites, Steps to Harmonic Dictation and Steps to Chord Progressions, all of which are freely available and widely used to make music theory more accessible. Her dedication to instructional innovation and student success has earned her numerous accolades, including the Digital Innovator of the Year Award, the Excellence in Disability Access and Inclusions Award, and the University Excellence Award in Teaching. Through her work, she continues to enhance the learning and teaching of music theory, benefiting both her students and the broader academic community.