Anthony Casamassima
Musician. Educator. Writer.
Mission Statement
My work integrates teaching, research, and service to help students apply knowledge in their creative and professional lives. I study how capital resources shape musicians’ educational pathways and career opportunities, with a focus on equity and access in music. By blending music education, technology, and sociocultural analysis, I design learning systems that support diverse musicians and encourage community through collaboration rather than competition. Across musicianship, pedagogy, and research, my goal is to build practical frameworks that help students strengthen their artistic identity, expand their opportunities, and navigate the evolving landscape of 21st-century music work.
Consulting Areas:
• Creative Research & Artist Development
• Curriculum & Systems Design
• Equity & Community Mentorship
• Commercial Music & Preproduction
• Cultural & Pedagogical Analysis
Personal Statement
I began exploring music independently at an early age and started saxophone in middle school band. I later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance (2011) and a Master’s Degree in Music Composition (2016), performing and touring with original groups along the East Coast and serving as a featured improviser in numerous university exhibitions with world-class artists. I also collaborate with community organizations to develop accessible music programs and resources.
During graduate school, I became increasingly interested in the challenges musicians face in maintaining healthy lifestyles while working and gigging. My first master’s thesis examined lifestyle patterns among musicians across genres, which led to broader research interests in equity, learning differences, and the socioeconomic structures that shape musicians’ careers. I earned a Master’s in Music Education in 2020 and continued investigating inclusion, access, and labor-market outcomes in music.
In 2025, I completed my PhD in Music Education (with a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Music Technology) and published my dissertation, The Professional Education Experiences of Musicians Based on the Availability of Capital. My current work integrates holistic education, sociological theory, and socioemotional development through the performing arts. I aim to support students and professionals in developing more flexible, sustainable artistic lives through interdisciplinary pedagogy and community-centered practice.