PROJECTS
Please look below to find examples of my most recent articles and presentations. If you are interested in any of these articles or presentations, please contact me for further information.
Podcast
"How music can help students with autism develop their emotions, with Dawn R. Mitchell White"
This podcast features an interview with host, Mindy Petersen, on Enhance Life with Music, based on The Conversation news article, "3 Ways Music Educators Can Help Students with Autism Develop Their Emotions."
Latest Articles
3 WAYS MUSIC EDUCATORS CAN HELP STUDENTS WITH AUTISM DEVELOP THEIR EMOTIONS
This article is featured on The Conversation news platform. It describes my personal and teaching experiences with children with autism. The article also suggests possible strategies for sharing music with these wonderful children and the impact it may have on their lives.
AUTISM, EMOTION, AND MUSICAL ELEMENTS: A REVIEW WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS
Children with autism can experience musical emotions. This review discusses three prevailing theories in autism and their interaction with musical elements (pitch, timbre, harmony, and structure) that help these students to express them. It provides implications for music educators to utilize the elements in the music classroom to increase the level of success among students with autism.
ON THE SPECTRUM: THE MUSICAL EXPERIENCES OF TWO YOUNG ADULT BROTHERS
This auto-ethnographical presentation and article feature a mother's perspective on raising two young adult sons with autism in a musical home.. Their experiences are examined with love and humor, while discovering emerging themes that may impact persons with autism and their musical possibilities.
MUSICAL DISCRIMINATION AND STYLES TASK: THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APTITUDE INSTRUMENT FOR ELEMENTARY MUSIC STUDENTS
The Musical Discrimination and Styles Task (MDAST) is a new music aptitude instrument created by Dawn Mitchell White. It features five subtests: 1) pitch discrimination, 2) musical contours, 3) composer comparisons, 4) musical styles, and 5) musical eras. Click the toolbar at the top of the page to go to the MDAST WEBSITE!
THE MILKY WAY AND GOLDEN RATIO: JUXTAPOSING "METAPHORICAL MODEL" FORMULAE WITH MULTI-GENERATIONAL MUSICAL DIVERSITY
This philosophical look at multi-generational musical diversity is written following the metaphorical model formula established by Estelle Jorgensen in her book, Pictures in Music Education. It examines the relationships between musical generations within communities and the importance of their preservation and identity.
A REVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF RHYTHM ON COMMUNICATION AND EMOTIONAL PROCESSING IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE
In this musically therapeutic article, the focus centers on rhythmic interventions and their impact on the communication abilities and emotional processing of individuals with Parkinson's disease. The latest research in this arena is discussed with a view toward future implications and the practical utilization of rhythm with this community of persons.