Rate My Professor Kevin Tutt

Dr. Kevin Tutt is the Chair and Professor in the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Grand Valley State University, where he conducts the GVSU Wind Symphony, teaches courses in conducting, music education, and general education, and leads events such as the GVSU Wind Band Workshop, GVSU Junior High Honors Band, and Conducting Day. Currently on sabbatical for Winter 2026, he previously served as Assistant Chair of the Music and Dance Department and as Associate Dean for Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Academic Opportunity in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prior to GVSU, Dr. Tutt held teaching positions at Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba; The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania; Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; and the Central Dauphin School District in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He has been a guest conductor, clinician, and consultant for ensembles and public school programs throughout the United States and Canada. In 2012, he was Assistant Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Music, conducting the Concert Band and teaching graduate and undergraduate music education classes.

Dr. Tutt holds degrees in conducting and music education from The Pennsylvania State University. His professional interests include teacher evaluation policies in the arts, the impact of arts advocacy, evaluation of teacher preparation institutions, development of university and public school musicians’ critical thinking skills through ensemble experiences, reflective teaching practices, and conducting techniques in pre-service and in-service teachers. His publications have appeared in Music Educators Journal, Journal of Band Research, Arts Education Policy Review, Research Perspectives in Music Education, Visions of Research in Music Education, and Michigan Music Educator. Key works include "Using Questions to Teach the National Standards in Rehearsal" (2007), "Philosophy + Advocacy = Success" (2011), "U.S. Arts Education Requirements" (2014), "Issues in performing arts teacher preparation program evaluation policy" (2017), and co-authored "Tenure and Promotion for Music Educators" presented at the 2012 Biennial Music Educators National Conference. He has been an invited presenter at regional and national music conferences. Under his direction, the GVSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble released its first CD, "Under Western Skies," in 2016, featuring newly composed music for trumpet and wind ensemble recorded with Klavier Music Productions.