Sean Grier is a PhD student in Music Education at the University of Michigan. Before beginning his graduate studies, Sean taught middle and high school choral music for nine years in North Carolina. Sean holds a BM in Music Education and BM in Vocal Performance from Michigan State University, and an MM in Music Education from the University of Michigan. Sean’s teaching and research interests include examining music education’s intersections with issues of equity and access, the musical and emotional needs of adolescents in choir, and the creation of safe and empowering music learning spaces rooted in racial and social justice. Sean is currently the Curriculum Director and Program Evaluation Researcher for the Crescendo Detroit Pathways Program at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) in addition to being on staff in the University of Michigan SMTD Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion where he assists in developing inclusive teaching resources and workshops.