Krista Williams

Focus and Philosophy: Dr. Williams believes that the purpose of teaching is to influence students’ lives in ways unimaginable. She believes that every child should have access to music education within school settings, which can provide students with exposure to diverse cultural and musical traditions and creative opportunities necessary for a student to reach their highest potential. As an educator, leader, researcher, accomplished classical pianist, and school founder, Dr. Williams has learned the importance of building upon students’ existing knowledge as a transformative measure to advancing music education and developing creative thinkers within an ever-changing global society. Her passion for music has positively impacted and shaped the lives of hundreds of students across the nation.

Background: Dr. Williams’ love for music began at the age of 5, where she studied piano with Mrs. Floretta P. Carson. As a distinguished classical pianist, she has performed with renowned orchestras, including the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra, New Orleans Symphony, and other professional orchestras. She has won numerous piano competitions, including the New Orleans Concerto Competition and the MMTA Sonata Competition, and has appeared in more than 100 recitals and professional concerts. She is the founder of Floretta P. Carson Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Alabama's first public charter school dedicated to the visual and performing arts, where she developed an innovative educational model integrating rigorous academics, conservatory-style arts instruction, leadership development, and college and career readiness. Her professional contributions have been recognized through multiple honors, including being selected for the 2023 Hosea London Jazz Music and Education Award, 2023 4.0 Schools Fellow, 2023 New Schools for Alabama Founders Fellow, recipient of the 2021 Boston University School of Music Award, and nominated for the 2023 and 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award. As an advocate for music education, Dr. Williams has held multiple positions in the K-12 education sector as a Band Director, Choral Director, and Elementary Music Specialist. Through her research, teachings, and visionary leadership in the field of music education, Dr. Williams continues to shape the future of music education while inspiring students, educators, and communities across the nation.

Teaching: At Radford University, Dr. Williams serves as the Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Music Education. Guided by the belief that education extends far beyond the transmission of knowledge, she is committed to preparing music educators to create inclusive learning environments that can transform lives, strengthen communities, and prepare future generations of creative thinkers, scholars, and leaders to succeed in an ever-changing global society. Dr. Williams also proudly serves on Radford University’s Scholarly Activities Committee, where she supports and provides recommendations for policies, research, sponsored programs, scholarly activities, and faculty professional development.

Research/Scholarship/Creative Work: Dr. Williams’ research explores the continuum of counterspaces within music education programs. Her research goes beyond the Western paradigm to build more inclusive knowledge systems and spaces that challenge social and cultural exclusion observed in music education programs across the nation. As an advocate for music education, Dr. Williams’ research has gained national and international exposure through multiple professional conferences across the United States and abroad, including the International Symposium on the Sociology of Music Education (ISSME) and the Music Education and Social Inclusion (MESI) Symposium.

For more information about Krista Williams, please open the tabs below. If you would like a digital copy of her complete CV, please contact her at kfwilliams1@radford.edu.