Biography
Dr. Hartz currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Florida where his research focuses on innovative means of developing music literacy and ensemble performance. Dr. Hartz teaches undergraduate courses in Instrumental Literature and Arranging, Instrumental Methods, and Music Technology and graduate courses in Instructional Design, Sociology of Music Education, Creative Thinking, Research in Music Education, American Vernacular Music, and World Musics. During his time at UF, Dr. Hartz has become an active clinician and guest conductor with middle school and high school bands, an adjudicator for the Florida Bandmasters Association, and an in-demand presenter of professional development for music educators throughout the southeast United States. Prior to coming to Gainesville, Dr. Hartz taught at Cleveland State University, where he was awarded the university’s Golden Apple Award for outstanding teaching. During his 30-year career teaching instrumental music in Ohio, his high school and middle school bands earned consistent Superior ratings in Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) adjudicated events, performed twice at OMEA conferences, and presented clinics at Kent State University, Baldwin Wallace University, and the University of Michigan. The Memorial Junior High Bands under his direction performed with guest conductors Dr. Quincy Hilliard and Dr. Deborah Sheldon, guest artists Lisa Bontrager and Dr. John Sampen, and commissioned and premiered an original work for saxophone and band by Dr. Marilyn Shrude.
Dr. Hartz earned his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 2015 and National Board Certification in 2007. He was recognized by OMEA as the Outstanding Music Educator for 2013. He has been an active OMEA adjudicator for over 25 years and conducted honor bands in Ohio and Kentucky. Dr. Hartz has presented clinics on innovative teaching methods for numerous state and national conferences and published articles in Contributions to Music Education and Music Educators Journal.