Janis Weller

Higher Education Administrator, Flutist, Educator in Minnesota

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Janis Weller serves as associate dean and heads the Liberal Arts Department of McNally Smith College of Music, in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she also teaches the capstone course, Creating a Life in Music. With several colleagues from around the world, she co-authored the book, Life in the Real World: Making Music Graduates Employable, published by Common Grounds Press (2013). She has developed and taught innovative courses in career development and music business at the University of Minnesota, Augsburg College, and the University of St. Thomas; and flute at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and MacPhail Center for Music, where she served as dean of individual and group instruction.

Dr. Weller served as Chair of the Commission for the Education of the Professional Musician, of the International Society for Music Education, organizing the 2012 CEPROM Seminar in Athens, Greece for participants from twelve countries. As part of CEPROM/ISME, she has presented workshops and papers internationally in Spain, Vietnam, U.K., Italy, China, Greece, Brazil, and will present in Scotland in 2016. In the U.S., she has presented at conferences and meetings of the College Music Society, Association for Popular Music Education, National Association of Schools of Music, Minnesota Music Educators Association, National Careers Conference, Minnesota Career Development Association, National Flute Association and others.

Dr. Weller's research interests focus on artist transitions, artists' career development, assessment in higher education, curricular design, and the role of a liberal arts education for professional artists. As a flutist, Janis has premiered more than 100 new works and been part of over 30 commissions, ranging from traditionally notated pieces to graphic notation, sculptural scores, and conducted improvisation. She performs with Improvestra, the Crocus Hill Trio, and freelances in the Twin Cities.

  • Work
    • McNally Smith College of Music
  • Education
    • Ed.D University of St. Thomas