Dr. Lauren Ryals

Dr. Lauren A. Ryals is the Director of Bands at Delaware Valley University where her primary responsibilities include conducting the Wind Symphony and Jazz Band, alongside teaching various graduate and undergraduate music courses. Prior to joining the faculty at DelVal, she was an Instructor of Graduate Studies in Music Education at West Chester University of PA and an Artist in Residence at Temple University conducting the Concert Band and the Temple University Night Owls Campus Community Band. In the public-school setting, Dr. Ryals taught secondary instrumental music in Colorado and Illinois for over 15 years. 

Dr. Ryals earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education (instrumental cognate) from Temple University where her published dissertation explored a trauma-informed music education program. She also holds a Master of Music Education degree from the VanderCook College of Music and a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Colorado. As a trauma-informed music education specialist, Dr. Ryals research interests reside in trauma-informed music education, social emotional learning in arts-based settings, and identities and relationships within the music classroom. She has presented her research internationally and nationally at conferences and is frequently invited to be a teacher trainer on trauma-informed music education and music classroom emotional first aid at various state and district level music education conferences. She also balances her research and teaching time with guest-conducting and judging district level music festivals and honor bands.