Research

PhD in Music Education | Comparative Education | Teacher Perspectives

Johanna Hatt is a PhD candidate in Music Education whose research examines how music education is structured, supported, and valued within school systems. Her work uses qualitative methods to compare elementary music education in Canada and the United States, with a focus on teacher perspectives and institutional conditions that shape practice.

Dissertation Research

Johanna’s dissertation uses qualitative methods to compare elementary music education in Canada and the United States. Rather than focusing solely on student outcomes, the study centers on the experiences of music educators to better understand how programs function within real school contexts.

The research examines how music education is shaped by structural and institutional factors, including funding models, instructional time allocation, and administrative decision-making.

Key Areas of Inquiry

• Music education funding structures
• Instructional time allocation in elementary schools
• Teacher experience and professional perspective
• Institutional and administrative support systems
• Perceived value of music education within school contexts

Emerging Findings

A key emerging finding in this research is the importance of administrative support in shaping the sustainability and effectiveness of music programs in schools. Leadership practices and institutional priorities play a significant role in determining how music education is implemented and maintained across contexts.

Research Interests

• Music education policy
• Teacher experience and professional voice
• Comparative education (Canada and the United States)
• Institutional and administrative influence in education
• Equity and access in school music programs