Dr. Jeremi Edwards
Performing Arts
Dr. Jeremi W. Edwards, a native of Louisiana, and is an alumnus of McNeese State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music education. Subsequently, Dr. Edwards pursued advanced studies and achieved a Master of Music in Theory and Composition at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, under the tutelage of Dr. Quincy Hilliard. His academic journey culminated in the completion of a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Composition, from the Louisiana State University, where he worked under the guidance of Dr. Mara Gibson. His Dissertation was titled: “A Synthesis of Contemporary Music Composition Pedagogy Practices for the Undergraduate and Graduate Level Sequences, and An Exploration of Time, Sound, and Space: An Aleatoric Event Score in Collaboration with the LSU Museum of Art” (2022).
Dr. Edwards’s compositional oeuvre represents a synthesis of his appreciation for neo-classical textures and the intricate nuances of impressionistic harmonic structures. As an accomplished musician and scholar, he proudly holds membership in organizations such as The Society for Music Theory (SMT), the South-Central Society for Music Theory, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and BMI as Classical Composer.
Furthermore, Dr. Edwards demonstrates his dedication to community and education through his roles as a board member for the Lake Charles Community Band, Board Member for the New Music on the Bayou Summer Festival based in Monroe LA, Board Member for the Cultural Noir Performing Arts Theater Company based in San Deigo CA, and active participant in the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA),the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA).
Currently, Dr. Jeremi W. Edwards serves as the Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition at McNeese State University within the W.A. and Dorothy Hanna Department of Performing Arts at McNeese State University. In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Edwards also holds the position of Coordinator of Music Theory. He imparts his extensive knowledge and expertise to shape the next generation of aspiring musicians and composers. Dr. Edwards teaches a wide array of courses, including MUSC 100 – Fundamentals of Music, MUSC 113 – Principles of Music I, MUSC 213 – Principles of Music II, MUSC 214 – Principles of Music III, MUSC 313 – Principles of Music IV, MUSC 415 – Music of the 20th Century, MUSC 408 – Instrumental Orchestration and Arranging, and offers private lessons in Music Composition. His diverse and comprehensive music curriculum is designed to foster creativity and critical thinking in aspiring musicians. Furthermore, his role as Coordinator of Music Theory underscores his commitment to advancing the study of music theory within the academic community, contributing to the academic excellence of McNeese State University’s Department of Performing Arts.
Dr. Edwards is not only a dedicated educator but also a prolific composer who is currently working on several large-scale collaborative projects with local artists. He actively seeks commission projects for student, community, and professional ensembles, demonstrating his passion for fostering musical innovation and artistic expression within his community and beyond.