Expertise
Music's function in human development from the perspective of music education
Research Interests
Interdisciplinary and community engaged research that focuses on:
- children's cognitive and social emotional development through music-focused integrated and immersive learning;
- children's skill building and knowledge retention around safety through musical interaction;
- music's essential role in human development and how it underlies our humanity;
- music engagement as a resource for resilience through major and daily life transitions in children's lives and learning; and
- post-human considerations in music education research and teaching.
Education
- EDD: Music and Music Education, (2012), Teachers College, Columbia University - New York, NY
Supporting Area: Childhood Development and Parenting
Dissertation/Thesis Title:Ordinary magic: The musical foundations of transition in family life - M.Ed.: Music Education, (2003), Teachers College, Columbia University - New York, NY
Supporting Area: Childhood Development
Dissertation/Thesis Title:"One more thing": Parents reflect on musical parenting of infants - M.M.: Baroque Flute Performance, (1994), Oberlin Conservatory of Music - Oberlin, OH
Supporting Area: Musicology
Dissertation/Thesis Title:Lecture recital on the "gigue" dance form in historical performance - B.A.: Flute Performance, (1992), The Peabody Institute of Music of the Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, MD
Supporting Area: Voice performance - Performance Certificate: Flute Performance, (1988), The Juilliard School of Music - New York, NY
Supporting Area: Choral Performance
Biosketch
Elissa Johnson-Green is an associate professor of music and coordinator of the music education program in the Department of Music at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Before joining UMass Lowell, Johnson-Green worked as a classical flutist and a music teacher and choral director in public and private schools, grades PreK-8.
Her combined interests in music, learning, engineering, and design led her to create the EcoSonic Playground Project (ESPP), which she has implemented with 25 diverse groups of children in the United States, Canada, and Ireland. Research on the ESPP has focused on its impact on participants and the communities in which it has been implemented. More recently, she has been working with Rocio Rosales, professor of psychology at UMass Lowell, to implement the ESPP with children with autism spectrum disorder.
In a separate project, Johnson-Green has collaborated with Jiabin Shen, associate professor of psychology at UMass Lowell, to study young children’s knowledge retention related to injury prevention when music is integrated into skill-building and learning. This work includes a neuroscience component involving UMass Lowell’s New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation Center and UMass Chan Medical School. Johnson-Green has also collaborated with Silke Schmid, professor of music education at the University of Education Freiburg, Germany, on research examining how music operates in formalized music education from a post-human perspective.
Johnson-Green served on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Music Education (2016-2022) and Visions of Research in Music Education (2023-2025). She has also been an invited reviewer for Psychology of Music, Music Education Research, Oxford University Press, and Routledge. Her scholarship has appeared in, among others, Music Education Research, Journal of Research in Music Education, Early Childhood Development and Care, The International Journal of Education and the Arts, and Visions of Research in Music Education. Her book chapters have been published by Oxford University Press and Routledge, and she has presented papers at regional, national, and international conferences. She presently serves as chair of the Commission for Early Childhood Music Education of the International Society for Music Education.
Selected Awards and Honors
2025
- Outstanding Achievements in Creative Works Award, University of Massachusetts Lowell
2022
- Outstanding Achievements in Creative Works Award, University of Massachusetts Lowell
2018-2020
- The Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Klarman Foundation; Music Educators and Teaching Artists Fellowship. Nominated for the EcoSonic Playground Project
2017
- Music Department Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Massachusetts Lowell
2016
- National and International Partnerships in Sustainability Workshop
Selected Publications
- Johnson-Green, E.; Schmid, S. (2026). MusicBeing as an entanglement of ideas and practices in ecology, resilience, spirituality, and well-being. A meta-narrative review. Music Education Research, DOI: 10.1080/14613808.2026.2640630.
- Rosales, R., Blake, J. F., and Johnson-Green, E.(in process). A Starting Guide for Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations. Behavior Analysis in Practice.
- Johnson-Green, E. (2024). The EcoSonic Playground Project: Immersive music education in action. Massachusetts Music Educators Journal, 72 (3), 48-50.
- Johnson-Green, E. (2023). Synthesis and embodiment: The Lowell string project as complex musical ecosystem. In J. Southcott & L. de Bruin (Eds.), Community music: Musical ecologies in action (pp. 95-111). Routledge.
- Johnson-Green, E. (2023). A work in progress: The legacy of Lee Pogonowski. Visions of Research in Music Education, 43, https://opencommons.uconn.edu/vrme/vol43/iss1/9
- Johnson-Green, E., Greher, G. R. (2023). Editorial: Musical thinking, thinking about thinking and so many a-ha moments!. Visions of Research in Music Education, 43, https://opencommons.uconn.edu/vrme/vol43/iss1/1
- Rottman, A., Johnson-Green, E. (2023). The EcoSonic Playground Project in action. Massachusetts Music Educators Journal, 72(2), 13-14.
- Johnson-Green, E. (2022). Keep singing out: Families’ use of popular music as a resource for raising resilient children. Journal of Popular Music Education, 6(1), 45-63.
- Johnson-Green, E. (2021). iAssess: Using mobile technology for student self-assessment in a k-5 music composition curriculum. In Greher, G. R. and Burton, S. L. (Eds.), Creative Music Making at Your Fingertips! A Mobile Technology Guide for Music Educators (pp. 126-144). Oxford University Press.
- Custodero, L. A., Johnson-Green, E. (2021). Caregiving in counterpoint: Reciprocal influences in the musical parenting of younger and older infants. In, W. Gruhn & W. Brodsky (Eds.), Music in the Lives of Young Children: An Annotated Anthology of Research Papers from Early Child Development and Care (pp. 33-58). Routledge.
- Johnson-Green, E.(2021). The child as musical affector: Sound perception and manipulation as artistic process in primary school music education. In Walzer, D. A. and Lopez, M. J. (Eds.), Audio Education: Theory, Culture, and Practice (pp. 17-44). Routledge.
- Johnson-Green, E., Lee, C. & Flannery, M. (2020). A musical perspective on STEM: Evaluating the EcoSonic Playground Project from a co-equal STEAM integration standpoint. International Journal of Education and the Arts, 21(14), 1-52.
- Johnson-Green, E. (2020). Music composition as immersive learning in K-5 music education: Results of a 4-year study. Visions of Research in Music Education, 35(Special conference issue), 1-41.
- Johnson-Green, E. (2018). Musical architects: Immersive learning through design thinking in a kindergarten music composition curriculum. Visions of Research in Music Education, 31, 1-38.
- Custodero, L. A., & Johnson-Green, E. A. (2006). Caregiving in counterpoint: Reciprocal influences in the musical parenting of younger and older infants. Early Child Development and Care, 176(1), 1-25.
- Custodero, L. A., & Johnson-Green, E. A. (2003). Passing the cultural torch: Musical experience and musical parenting of infants. Journal of Research in Music Education, 51(2), 102-114.
Selected Presentations
- Aravala, J. S., Charles, S. D., Labrie, J., Davis, A. R., Johnson-Green, E., & Shen, J. (2026, February 26-28). Can Music Listening Influence Cognition and Behavior in Children? A Systematic Review [Poster Presentation]. Eastern Psychological Association (EPA), Boston, MA, United States.
- Johnson-Green, E. (April 2025). The EcoSonic Playground Project: Fostering children’s social and emotional wellbeing through collaborative, arts-integrated learning. Ohio University: Global Arts Festival 2025 Symposium. Athens, OH.
- Johnson-Green, E. (March 2025). Universal Design for Learning as Differentiated Practice in Young Children’s Music Education. Massachusetts Music Educators Association, All State Conference. Worcester, MA.
- Johnson-Green, E. (March 2025). The EcoSonic Playground Project: Making Space for Creativity in the Music Curriculum. Massachusetts Music Educators Association, All State Conference. Worcester, MA.
- Johnson-Green, E. and Green, E. (November 2024). The EcoSonic Playground Project: Encompassing all dimensions of learning for the young child through musical exploration. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
- Johnson-Green, E. (August 2024). Symposium. State of the Art in Early Childhood Music Education. The International Society of Music Education: Advocacy for Sustainability in Music Education. Helsinki, Finland.
- Johnson-Green, E. (March 2024). Workshop. The EcoSonic Playground Project, Hands On. Massachusetts Music Educators Association, All State Conference. Worcester, MA.
- Johnson-Green, E. and Schmid, S. (April 2023). Poster. MusicBeing in an age of transformation: A meta-narrative review study on connectivity and recent holistic approaches in music education. The Thirteenth International Research in Music Education Conference, Society for Education, Music, and Psychology Research. Conference online.
- Johnson-Green, E. (November 2022). Paper. Keep singing out: Families’ use of popular music as a resource for raising resilient children. National Association for the Education of Young Children. Washington, D.C.
- Johnson-Green, E. (July 2022). Poster. Keep singing out: Families’ use of popular music as a resource for raising resilient children. Early Childhood Music Education Commission, International Society of Music Education. Virtual conference.
- Johnson-Green, E. and Lee, C. (April 2022). The EcoSonic Playground Project. Maker Music Festival, Room C418, https://www.makermusicfestival.com/building/Partch/. Award of Merit.
- Johnson-Green, E. and Kiberstis, M. (March 2022). Paper. Immersive musical learning with children with autism spectrum disorder: The EcoSonic Playground Project at ABATEC Boston. Massachusetts Music Educators Association, All State Conference. Marlborough, MA.
- Johnson-Green, E. (April 2021). The EcoSonic Playground Project: An immersive music education-focused, open-access, multidisciplinary learning experience. Paper presented for the Twelfth International Research in Music Education Conference, Society for Education, Music, and Psychology Research. Conference online.
- Johnson-Green, E. (April 2021). Children’s authentic self-assessment with mobile technology. Paper presented as part of a symposium, Gena Greher and Suzanne Burton, chairs. The Twelfth International Research in Music Education Conference, Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research. Conference online.
- Johnson-Green, E. (August 2020). The EcoSonic Playground Project: Impact of an open-access, community outreach, music education program. Paper accepted for the International Society of Music Education: Visions of Equity and Diversity. Helsinki, Finland. (Conference postponed due to COVID-19.)
- Johnson-Green, E. (July 2020). Composing for inclusion: Immersive music education in a kindergarten general music classroom. Poster accepted for the Early Childhood Music Education Commission, International Society of Music Education: Visions of Equity and Diversity. Helsinki, Finland. (Conference postponed due to COVID-19.)
- Johnson-Green, E. & Rosales, R. (April 2020). The EcoSonic Playground Project: STEAM education for children with ASD. Paper accepted for the ABLE Assembly: Arts Better the Lives of Everyone. Boston, MA. (Conference postponed due to COVID-19.)
- Johnson-Green, E. (July 2022). Poster. Keep singing out: Families’ use of popular music as a resource for raising resilient children. Early Childhood Music Education Commission, International Society of Music Education. Virtual conference.
- Johnson-Green, E. (Submitted). Paper. The EcoSonic Playground Project: Immersive, interdisciplinary learning through music in pre-school. National Association for the Education of Young Children. Washington, D.C.
- Johnson-Green, E. and Lee, C. (April 2022). The EcoSonic Playground Project. Maker Music Festival, Room C418. Award of Merit.
- Johnson-Green, E. and Kiberstis, M. (March 2022). Paper. Immersive musical learning with children with autism spectrum disorder: The EcoSonic Playground Project at ABATEC Boston. Massachusetts Music Educators Association, All State Conference. Marlborough, MA.
- Johnson-Green, E. (April 2021). The EcoSonic Playground Project: An immersive music education-focused, open-access, multidisciplinary learning experience. Paper presented for the Twelfth International Research in Music Education Conference, Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research. Conference online.
- Johnson-Green, E. (April 2021). Children’s authentic self-assessment with mobile technology. Paper presented as part of a symposium, Gena Greher and Suzanne Burton, chairs. The Twelfth International Research in Music Education Conference, Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research. Conference online.
- Johnson-Green, E. (August 2020). The EcoSonic Playground Project: Impact of an open-access, community outreach, music education program. Paper accepted for the International Society of Music Education: Visions of Equity and Diversity. Helsinki, Finland. (Conference online due to COVID-19).
- Cali, C., Sole, M., & Johnson-Green, E. (August 2020). Observing children's spontaneous music making: Current developments and impact on research and teaching. Symposium accepted for the International Society of Music Education: Visions of Equity and Diversity. Helsinki, Finland. (Conference online due to COVID-19).
- Johnson-Green, E. (July 2020). Composing for inclusion: Immersive music education in a kindergarten general music classroom. Poster accepted for the Early Childhood Music Education Commission, International Society of Music Education: Visions of Equity and Diversity. Helsinki, Finland. (Conference online due to COVID-19).
- Johnson-Green, E. & Rosales, R. (April 2020). The EcoSonic Playground Project: STEAM education for children with ASD. Paper accepted for the ABLE Assembly: Arts Better the Lives of Everyone. Boston, MA. (Conference postponed due to COVID-19).
- Johnson-Green, E. (March 2020). Building Immersive Musical Experiences through the EcoSonic Playground Project. Workshop presented at the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, All State Conference. Boston, MA.
Selected Artistic and Professional Performances and Exhibits
Johnson-Green, E. & Beatrice, A. (2018). Juried competition. The EcoSonic Playground Project sound sculpture installation at a public-school bus stop at the intersection of Geneva Avenue and Westville Street, Dorchester, MA. The Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics Play Around the City initiative.
Director of Research and Executive Producer of "We’ve got the world on a string," Documentary film on the Lowell String Project Community premiere at the Luna Theater, Lowell, MA April 2017
Selected Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research
Grants:
2023-2025
University of Massachusetts Lowell, Seed Grant Program
Jiabin Shen, Co-PI
In support of The Music of Safety: Integrating Music-Based Learning for Childhood Unintentional Injury Prevention
Grant: $15,000.00
2023-2024
UML ADVANCE Office for Faculty Equity Collaborative Mentoring Seed Grant
Cohort Member
Urmitapa Dutta, Cohort Leader
Project: Toward a Sustainable Framework for Community-engaged Scholarship
Grant: $2000.00
2023-2024
UML Center for Excellence in Learning & Teaching: Contemplative Pedagogy Mini-Grant
In support of course re-design
Grant: $1000.00
2021-2023
University of Massachusetts Lowell, Seed Grant Program
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Grant: $10,000.00
2021-2023
Emerging Scholars Program
UML Sociology Department, Center for Women and Work
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Provided an undergraduate research assistantship: $3000.00 (for each year of participation)
2020-2021
The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Grant: $5000.00
2019-2020
International Society for Music Education Research Grant
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Grant: $6000.00
2018
Boston Mayor's Office Urban Planning Commission: Play Around the City Community installation of the EcoSonic Playground Project in Dorchester, MA
Juried Selection
Grant: $2000.00
2018
UML 2020 Community Impact Grant
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell
Grant: $2000.00
2017-2018
University of Massachusetts Sustainability Grant
In support of the EcoSonic Playground project international partnership with Michael Flannery of the Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
Grant: $8500.00
2017
The Thelonious Monk Foundation
Support to develop a website for the EcoSonic Playground Project
Gena Greher, PI
Grant: $1500.00
2016
University of Massachusetts Lowell Internal Seed Grant
Supporting funds for The Lowell String Project Documentary
Grant: $5000.00
2016
Lowell Cultural Council Grant
Supporting funds for The Lowell String Project Documentary
Grant: $1500.00
2015-2016
University of Massachusetts Lowell Chancellor's 2020 Challenge Grant
Start-up grant for The Musical Playground project
Grant: $1000.00
Fellowships
2016-2018; 2019-2021
Emerging Scholars Program
UML Sociology Department, Center for Women and Work
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantships totaling: $10,500.00
Summer 2020
Immersive Scholars Program
UML Provost's Office of Signature Programs and Experiential Learning
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship: $4000.00
Spring 2020
FAHSS Student Assistantship Program
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship: $1530.00
2019-2020
Honors College Fellowship
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship: $1200.00
2017-2019
Community Engaged Scholars Program
Interdisciplinary, research development peer cohort
The EcoSonic Playground Project: 2018-2019
We've got the world on a string documentary film: 2017-2018
Grants totaling: $2000.00
2016
Service-Learning Integrated throughout the College of Engineering (SLICE) Co-op Fellowship
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship: $2500.00
2015
University of Massachusetts Lowell FAHSS Honors College Fellowship
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship: $1000.00
Sponsored Programs
2023-2025 River Hawk Scholars Academy
Undergraduate research assistantship
In support of The Music of Safety: Integrating Music-Based Learning for Childhood
Unintentional Injury Prevention
2016-2025 Emerging Scholars Program
UML Sociology Department, Center for Women and Work
In support of The Music of Safety: Integrating Music-Based Learning for Childhood Unintentional Injury Prevention
Provided an undergraduate research assistantship.
Summer 2020 Immersive Scholars Program
UML Provost’s Office of Signature Programs and Experiential Learning
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship.
Spring 2020 FAHSS Student Assistantship Program
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship.
2019-2020 Honors College Fellowship
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship.
2017-2019 Community Engaged Scholars Program
Interdisciplinary, research development peer cohort
The EcoSonic Playground Project: 2018-2019
We’ve got the world on a string documentary film: 2017-2018
2016 Service-Learning Integrated throughout the College of Engineering (SLICE) Co-op
Fellowship In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship.
2015 University of Massachusetts Lowell FAHSS Honors College Fellowship
In support of the EcoSonic Playground Project
Undergraduate research assistantship.