Faculty Profile for Dr. Amanda Christina Soto

profile photo for Dr. Amanda Christina Soto
Dr. Amanda Christina Soto
Associate Professor — School of Music
MUS 145
phone: (512) 245-3947
Scholarly/Creative Work
Awards
Grants
Service

Biography Section

Biography and Education

 Dr. Soto earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas, a Masters of Arts in Ethnomusicology, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Washington. She has undertaken certification studies in Orff and Kodály pedagogical approaches and holds a certification in world music pedagogy from the Smithsonian Institution.

Research Interests

 Children's Musical Culture and Identity; World Music Pedagogy; use of Technology in Music Education; Cultural Diversity in Music Education; Mexican and Mexican American' music and culture ; Mariachi Pedagogy; Ethnomusicology

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Performer, Mariachi Cardinal Noche de Mariachi Concert. October 26, 2023.
    Performances:
    • Noche de Mariachi Concert. University of Incarnate Word Bannack Concert Hall, San Antonio, Tx.
  • Performer, San Antonio Community College Feria del Mariachi Spring Concert. May 2, 2023.
    Performances:
    • Mariachi Ensemble Performance. McAllister Fine Arts Building, 1300 San Pedro Ave., SA,TX 78212.
  • Performer, San Antonio Community College Noche de Mariachi Concert. March 6, 2023.
    Performances:
    • Noche de Mariachi Concert. McAlister Fine Arts Theatre, 1300 San Pedro Ave., SA, TX 78212.
  • Soto, A. C. (n.d.). New Waters in Music: Recognizing and Processing Trauma While Trying to Diversify a School of Music’s Curriculum Offerings. In Sound Pedagogy: Radical Care in Post-Secondary Music. Champaign, IL, USA: Illinois University Press.
  • Soto, A. C. (2019). Amanda. An Examination of Mexican American Children’s Musical and Cultural Identity. Journal of Research in Music Education.

Selected Awards

  • Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Distinction Award for Service, Texas State University. 2016 - 2017
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Program for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Texas State University. August 2014 - May 2015
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Beech Scholarship, University of Washington. September 2008 - December 2008
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Sorenson Scholarhip, University of Washington. January 2008 - June 2008
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Perner Scholarship, University of Washington. September 2007 - June 2008

Selected Grants

  • Soto, Amanda Christina. Musical Outreach Award for the Greater Palouse Region for Percussion Instruments for UI Music Education Department from the Sigma Alpha Iota, Moscow- Pullman Alumnae Chapter, $400. (Funded: 2012). Grant.
  • Soto, Amanda Christina. Smithsonian Folkways Certification Course in World Music Pedagogy, CLASS Internal Funding, University of Idaho, $3500. (Funded: 2011). Grant.
  • Soto, Amanda C (Principal). ¡Viva la Musica Mexicana! An Examination of Mariachi Pedagogy at the Collegiate Level in the State of Texas, REP, Texas State University, $8000.00. (Submitted: October 11, 2016, Funded: March 1, 2017 - May 1, 2018). Grant.
  • Soto, Amanda C (Principal). Technology Grant, Technology Department, Texas State University, $5000.00. (Submitted: March 31, 2016, Funded: September 1, 2016 - March 1, 2017). Grant.
  • Soto, Amanda Christina. Viva la Música Mexicana!, University of Idaho Seed Grant, $12000. (Funded: 2013 - 2014). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Member
Public Relations Committee
August 2023-May 2024
Member
Music Education Committee
January 2023-May 2024
Participant
Music Education Upper Level Review Committee
January 2023-May 2024
Member
Personnel Committee
January 2023-December 2023
Chair
Music Education (Undergraduate & Graduate), Latin Music Studies (Graduate), and Mariachi Minor (Undergraduate) Curriculum Revision & Submission
January 2020-December 2022