Dr. Bina John

Biography

Bina Ann John teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Piano Skills, Professional Musicians/Teachers, Psychological Foundations of Music Education, Social Psychology of Music, Urban Engagement, Community Music, and Advanced Topics in Childhood. She received the Faculty of Music Excellence in Teaching Award in May 2014 and was nominated again in 2018. Bina has led collaborative projects such as 'From Custody to Community' with Community Music Schools of Toronto and Turning Point Youth Services and continues her research on 'The Virtual Music Teacher' alongside Dr. Elaine Biddiss. Her previous projects include being the lead investigator on 'Of Music Justice Denied,' a case study with youth involved in the justice system through TPYS and Regent Park School of Music. Bina serves on the Board of Directors and is Co-Chair of the Anti-Racist Anti-Oppression Committee for Community Music Schools of Toronto, and she is also a member of the Advisory Committee for Doane Music School. Bina has adjudicated for the Canadian JUNO Awards and is currently the Music Director for the Exultate Chamber Choir at St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, a senior choir of South Indian origin that performed in DCINY’s Handel Messiah at Carnegie Hall in December 2019. She has been a keynote speaker at various conferences and has presented her research at international events across the globe, including the International Society for Sociology of Music and the International Society for Music Education.

Research Interests