DR. DAVID DOCKAN is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Louisiana State University, where he teaches courses in elementary music methods, commercial techniques, and teaching music in diverse settings. Committed to helping teachers develop curricula that reflect students’ musical worlds, he studies popular music pedagogies, teacher agency, and belonging in music education. He facilitates workshops around the world on modern band, popular music, and Orff Schulwerk. David’s professional service includes roles as an editorial board member for The Orff Echo, the Southern Division Representative for the NAfME Council for Innovations, the co-coordinator of the Mountain Lake Colloquium, a board member for the Alliance for Active Music Making, serves on the elementary music committee for Music for All. David is also the founder of Dockan Music, LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to fostering agency and human flourishing in music environments. In recognition of his innovative work and leadership in the field, David was named one of Yamaha’s 2026 “40 Under 40” music educators.
