(Picture by Callynth Photography)
Full bio
Dr. Kyle Gullings is an educator, scholar, and composer. He joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Tyler in 2011, where he is a professor of music theory and composition. He served as Director of the School of Performing Arts from 2019 to 2023.
Gullings is committed to improving and increasing access to undergraduate instruction in music theory and composition nationally. He is a co-author of the free, online open educational resource (OER) music theory textbook Open Music Theory Version 2, supported by a $30,000 Course Redesign Grant (now VIVA Open Course Grants) from Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium (VIVA). His peer-reviewed articles appear in Engaging Students: Essays in Music Pedagogy and NACWPI Journal. His free and editable collection of over 100 original lower-division music theory course documents, “Open Educational Resources for Undergraduate Music Theory,” is published on the peer-reviewed Resources page of the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy.
As a versatile, collaborative composer of stage, vocal, and chamber works, Gullings’ projects have traversed diverse social topics including space travel, nuclear weaponry, mortality, mental illness, and the American Dream. He has been recognized through the National Opera Association’s Chamber Opera Composition Competition (1 of 3 National Finalists) and the SCI/ASCAP Student Composition Competition (two-time Regional Winner), and has been performed across the country through the Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage Festival, John Duffy Composers Institute (now the John Duffy Institute for New Opera), Capital Fringe Festival, College Music Society, and Society of Composers, Inc.
Gullings completed his D.M.A. in Composition at The Catholic University of America, where he was also the first recipient of their unique Stage Music Emphasis master’s degree. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Theory/Composition from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. He enjoys running, home brewing, and spending time with his wife Terra and their dogs Ollie and Buddy.
Learn more at www.kylegullings.com.
(Picture by Callynth Photography)
Brief bio (100 words)
Kyle Gullings is professor at the University of Texas at Tyler School of Performing Arts, where he served as Director (2019 to 2023). He is co-author of Open Music Theory Version 2, with peer-reviewed scholarship published in Engaging Students: Essays in Music Pedagogy, NACWPI Journal, and Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy.
A collaborative composer of stage, vocal, and chamber works addressing diverse social topics, Gullings is a three-time composition competition national finalist (National Opera Association, SCI/ASCAP). He holds a D.M.A. and M.M. in Composition from The Catholic University of America, and a B.M. in Theory/Composition from Concordia College.
Curriculum vitae (click to view)