Education
- PhD in Music Education, University of Toronto
Biography
Dr. Laura Jane Menard, OCT, is the Research Funding, Honours & Awards Officer in the Faculty of Music Research Office.
An active researcher, educator, and musician in Toronto, Laura's recent scholarly outputs highlight intersections between sound studies and sonic agency, inclusive music practices, themes derived from the gothic, and philosophy.
Laura holds a PhD in Music Education from the Faculty of Music. She has been the Coordinator at SoundLife Scarborough (SLS) at UTSC, an innovative research centre and community-engaged music hub at the University of Toronto Scarborough; and Coordinator at the School of Cities’ Creative Communities Commons (CCC) supporting knowledge mobilization projects in interdisciplinary civic-oriented events. She has enjoyed diverse Research Assistant opportunities; and Course Instructor appointments at OISE with Masters of Teaching Candidates in the CTL program, and at Brandon University with undergraduate music education students. Laura is the Associate Artistic Director of VIVA Singers Toronto, a not-for-profit family of seven choirs where she relishes in highly collaborative creative processes, working with singers in the Main Chorus and Chamber Youth Leadership Singers and the innovative Creation Stream program.
Laura is passionate about engaging in collaborative interdisciplinary projects, examining abilities-oriented approaches to music-making, and creating safe spaces for musicians of all ages and stages to take risks and expand their research and creative horizons.