Goldstein receives educator of the year honor

Carson-Newman University’s Ashby Goldstein has been named the state’s Outstanding College/University Music Educator of the Year by the Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA). The award was presented at TMEA’s annual conference on April 13 at the Opryland Convention Center in Nashville.

Dr. Chris Headley, chair of C-N’s Music Department, says the honor is well deserved.

“I have personally observed Professor Goldstein’s advising meetings as he meets with every music education student,” said Headley. During that time, he also holds an interview with each of them to check-in on their professional, emotional, and spiritual growth. His passion for his students and his field is contagious. I genuinely aspire to model his classroom creativity in my own work.” 

A member of Carson-Newman’s faculty since 2022, Goldstein is an assistant professor of Music and serves as director of Music Education and Bands. Along with supervising student teachers, he conducts C-N’s concert and marching bands. He is also the recipient of multiple awards at the middle school and high school level.

Prior to joining C-N’s faculty, he taught music education courses and conducted concert ensembles as a graduate teaching associate at The Ohio State University, where he is currently completing his doctorate in music education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from Florida State University and a master’s degree in instrumental conducting from Southern Oregon University.