Elise S. Sobol
Music Educator, Pianist
Email: es86@nyu.edu
ELISE SOBOL has made unique contributions to the field of teaching music to special learners. She has achieved recognition for these contributions in noted biographical publications such as Marquis Who’s Who in the World (2006), Who’s Who in American Women (2006/07), Great Women of the 21st Century (2004/05), International Register of Profiles (13th Edition) and International Dictionary of Distinguished Leadership (9th Edition). Professor Sobol has devoted a lifetime of service to education and has K-12 experience teaching from early childhood through high school in regular and special education settings. Since l993, she has been the New York State School Music Association(NYSSMA) Chairperson of Music for Special Learners. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Council of Music Teacher Education Programs (COMTEP). Author of An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners (Pentland Press, 2001), Elise Sobol is also a contributing author to the MENC (2004) “Spotlight on Making Music with Special Learners” and two New York State Education Department publications “Music: A Resource Guide for Standards Based Instruction” (2002) and “Tools for Schools Improving Student Achievement Through the Arts” (2001). Professor Sobol serves on the adjunct music education faculties of the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University and the School for Visual and the Performing Arts at Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus.
She maintains her full-time position as music teacher for students with special needs at the Nassau BOCES Rosemary Kennedy School on Long Island. Active as an international clinician, Professor Sobol has brought her interactive style of facilitation to participants throughout the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Topics draw upon her extensive experience teaching students with social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental and learning disabilities with titles such as “Building Bridges for Learning with Music”, “Cultivating Cognition with Musical Interventions”, “and Music for Milestones” and “Rehearsal Techniques for Successful Inclusion Practices in Music Performance.” In March, 2003 Dr. John Gilbert, Director of Music Education honored Professor Sobol with a certificate of service in recognition of “continuing contribution to Music Education at New York University, adding to the quality of experience for our students.” Further honors include the 2004 Ernest Kay International Foundation Award, citations from the Town Board of Oyster Bay, The New York State Assembly, nomination for the New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction” Program, the Very Special Arts Award of Honor, appearances on Channel 12 News and Newsday’s Long Island Life Winners column. Active professionally as a pianist, Elise Sobol appears at the July 2006 Inaugural World Forum at Oxford University, England and is re-engaged in 2007 for a world premiere concerto performance with the Melbourne Musicians Chamber Orchestra, Melbourne, Australia. Professor Sobol received her B.A. from the New School for Social Research and her M.A. from Teachers Colleges, Columbia University.