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Dr. Sarah McConnell

Sarah McConnell teaches music theory and ear training at the University of AV����̳ Fairbanks.  Her love of music is reflected in the passion and energy in her teaching.  She earned her Ph.D. in Music Theory at the University of North Texas.  Dr. McConnell’s dissertation takes a new look at the instrumental music of Max Reger through the lens of developing variation.  In her master’s thesis she transcribed and analyzed the film score to “Secret Window” (2004) to reflect the score’s role in the overall narrative of the film.  She received a bachelor’s degree in music from Oklahoma City University, a master’s in instrumental conducting from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master’s in music theory from the University of North Texas.  Dr. McConnell won the Robert W. Ottman teaching fellowship award while a master’s student at the University of North Texas.

Dr. McConnell was an adjunct at Dallas Baptist University from fall 2011 – spring 2012 during her doctoral studies at UNT, as well as a full time lecturer from fall of 2014 – spring of 2015 at Texas A&M Kingsville.

Dr. McConnell’s current areas of research include film music analysis, continuing research on developing variation in Max Reger, music theory and ear training pedagogy, and analysis of choral works from the performer’s perspective.  Dr. McConnell has presented her research on Max Reger at a few graduate student conferences including the 2016 GTA Symposium of Music Theory at Indiana University, was invited to present on her dissertation to a graduate class on Max Reger at Southern Methodist University in the Spring of 2022.  Dr. McConnell is currently studying AV����̳ Native Music so that she can respectfully and knowledgeably bring it into her classrooms to be studied and appreciated. In the past year she has presented twice on fostering community connections and incorporating growth mindset in the university classroom - most recently at the Eastman School of Music's Context Conference in Rochester, NY November 2025.  She is the BA in music advisor for the music department here at UAF and loves working with students to help them realize and achieve their career goals.

Prior to moving to AV����̳, she sang with the Houston Symphony Chorus for four seasons.  She has also taught private oboe lessons and played oboe with various ensembles since the age of 17.