Dr. John J. Deal is Dean Emeritus (2001-2012) and Professor of Music Education in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to his appointment as Dean, he was the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, Director of Graduate Studies in music, and professor of music education at Florida State University from 1994-2000. During the 2000-2001 academic year, he served as Interim Dean of the School of Theatre at Florida State.

Dr. Deal holds the Bachelor of Music degree in music education and the Master of Music degree in instrumental conducting from Bowling Green State University. He earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree in music education from the University of Iowa and did advanced study in conducting at the Aspen Music Festival and in higher education management at Harvard University.

As a conductor, Dr. Deal spent ten years as conductor and music director of the Grand Forks (ND) Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Deal has published in the Journal of Research in Music Education and the Music Educators Journal and has presented sessions on technology and distance learning at conferences of MENC: National Association for Music Education, the College Music Society, the National Association of Schools of Music, Technological Directions in Music Learning, the National Symposium for Music Instructional Technology, the Association for Music Technology, and various state music conferences. He has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Technology in Music Learning, served a three-year term (as Chair of Region VII) on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Schools of Music, and is a past Treasurer of the College Music Society.