Dawn Harmon McCord, DMA and NCTM, is Professor of Music Education and Organ Studies at the University of West Georgia and has served on the boards of the Georgia Music Educators and Georgia Music Teachers Association (GMTA) including serving as President of GMTA. Dr. McCord is also Director of Music and Organist at Carrollton Presbyterian Church. She holds degrees from UGA, LSU, and FSU with studies in Music Education, Choral Conducting, and Organ Performance. Her online course for Factors of Musical Learning has been awarded national recognition for meeting 21 essential standards in the Quality Matters course review. She regularly adjudicates piano events and her research interests include topics related to teaching and learning, piano proficiency, teacher preparation, and all-state choral policies and practice. She has presented her research at international, national, and state conferences.