Dr. Rob Lyda is a sought-after expert in general music education, widely recognized as a clinician for professional development workshops, curriculum writer, educational consultant, and presenter at state, regional, and national conferences. Throughout his career, he has taught a variety of instrumental, vocal, and general music courses for students ranging from pre-kindergarten through graduate study. He currently teaches general music education in Auburn City Schools (AL) and serves as an adjunct instructor of graduate music education at Troy University.
Rob has received several awards, including School and District Teacher of the Year honors, the Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award, and the 2019 Lacey Powell Outstanding Music Educator Award from the Alabama Music Educators Association. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Troy University and a Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from Auburn University. In addition to his academic degrees, Rob has completed studies in World Music Drumming, TI:ME (Technology in Music Education), Modern Band, Global Music Pedagogy, and is certified in both the Kodály Concept (Levels I–III) and the Orff-Schulwerk Approach (Levels I–III and Master Class).
Rob regularly presents sessions and research on standards-based instruction, creativity, arts advocacy, and general music education at conferences across the country. He has consulted for state, regional, and national arts education organizations, local school districts, and State Departments of Education. Since 2017, he has served as the primary educational content creator for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. His work has been featured in Teaching Music, General Music Today, and SBO+. He has authored chapters in two educational texts and is the co-author of the upcoming book The Music Teacher’s Guide to General Music.
A passionate advocate for music education, Rob has consistently worked to improve music education at the local, state, and national levels. Throughout his career, Rob has written grants to increase opportunities for students in music education. He believes that providing teachers with high-quality professional development is essential. Twenty-four years ago, he founded the annual Alabama cNAfME Summit to give collegiate music education majors the opportunity to connect and learn from seasoned music educators. When he saw a lack of professional development opportunities for general music educators in his local area, he co-founded the East Alabama General Music Workshop eleven years ago. After the global pandemic, Rob brought together the general music community to host the NAfME General Music Virtual Mini-Conference, offering free virtual professional development to music educators who may lack the resources to attend in-person workshops.
Throughout his career, Rob has remained passionate about expanding opportunities for students and teachers to improve access to quality music education.
Rob holds memberships in the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA), the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE), Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the National Band Association. Currently, he serves on NAfME’s Music Teacher Profession Advisory Committee and Professional Learning and Partnerships Committee, as Immediate Past Chair of NAfME’s Council for General Music Education, Immediate Past President of AMEA, and as a member of the Alabama State Council on the Arts.