With a lifelong career in music, Barbara A. Bennett is a teacher, composer, pianist, and most recently, the editor of a widely-used book on music theory.

Bennett has been called a master teacher by many of her colleagues and students at the University of California, Riverside. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience in a variety of courses including composition, music theory, musicianship, women in music, electronic music and music appreciation. In recognition of her teaching excellence, Bennett received UCR’s Non-Senate Distinguished Teacher Award for 1996-97.

She is also the principal editor of Practice of Harmony, a music theory text used in many college classrooms, and is at work on a music appreciation textbook.

Bennett’s education includes studies in piano performance and composition at the University of Georgia where she earned the B.M. magna cum laude and M.F.A. degrees. Additionally, she holds the D.M. in composition from The Florida State University.

She continues a long relationship with The College Music Society, having served as chapter president for many years and national Vice-President from 1999-2001. She finds the interaction between members and the broad range of interests found in this organization to offer value and stimulation for a teacher of diverse subject matters and a musician with creative and theoretical interests. Bennett has also been active in the National Association of Composers, USA (NACUSA), serving as membership coordinator and vice-president, organizing concerts in the Los Angeles area, and preparing her own music for NACUSA concerts.