Abby South
Biography
Dr. Abby South is Assistant Professor of Music Education and teaches both undergraduate and graduate-level music education courses, supervises student teachers, and serves as coordinator of the music education area. Dr. South holds a Master of Music and PhD in Music Education with a minor in Psychology from Louisiana State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Loyola University, New Orleans. Her research focuses on brain-aligned instructional practices, music cognition, and teacher mentorship.
Before entering higher education, Dr. South was a K-12 band director and general music teacher for sixteen years. Her ensembles earned consistent superior ratings at assessment events, and her students were regularly selected for regional and state honor bands. As a K-12 educator, Dr. South served as a mentor teacher for early career educators, supervised numerous student teachers, and held leadership positions at both the school and district levels. She was named District Band Director of the Year for Louisiana’s District VI in 2010 and Teacher of the Year at Juban Parc Junior High in 2014.
A recognized clinician and conductor, Dr. South is frequently invited to lead honor bands and present professional development sessions. Her research has been featured at national and regional conferences, including the Louisiana Music Educators Association (2021–2025), Mid-South Education Research Symposium (2022), Society for Music Teacher Education in Utah (2023), the Sun Coast Music Education Research Symposium in Florida (2023), and the NAfME Biennial National Conference in Atlanta (2024).
Dr. South is a member of NAfME, LMEA, Phi Beta Mu, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Education
PhD in Music Education
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Master of Music
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Bachelor of Music Education
Loyola University, New Orleans, LA