Ray Knapp Secures Prestigious Teaching Accolade
UCLA's renowned musicology and humanities professor, Ray Knapp, has been honoured with the UCLA Faculty Senate's Distinguished Teaching Award for the academic year 2023-24. Knapp, who is known for his work in music and cultural studies, was selected from a large pool of extraordinary nominees across the university.
Bob Fink, professor of musicology and chair of the music industry program, praised Knapp's thirty-five year record of teaching excellence, stating that it has been a defining constant in their department culture. Fink also highlighted Knapp's radical inclusivity, which has touched every single undergraduate at UCLA. Knapp is often approachable and mentors students who might otherwise not see themselves as belonging in academia.
Knapp's humane values have been evident in his teaching for decades. He engages in individual tutorials for undergraduate students in addition to mentoring graduate students. Ashley Dao, an undergraduate in musicology, has reported that Knapp makes time for at least an hour-long meeting with her every week. The Beineke award, given to only twenty students across the United States to support graduate study, is among Dao's achievements, with Knapp's guidance and support playing a significant role in her trajectory.
Knapp's teaching philosophy is "playing the long game," coaching students as they develop their own projects, take ownership of them, and see them to fruition. Students have consistently reported that Knapp's teaching is equal parts rigorous feedback, accountability, kindness, and humor. Knapp's collaborations with students often result in publication credits for them.
As the director of the Center of Musical Humanities, Knapp brings musicians, filmmakers, scholars, and students together for symposia addressing themes important to Los Angeles's diverse communities. The Centre's mission aligns with Knapp's commitment to fostering a deep appreciation for the diverse ways music influences and reflects society.
Ray Knapp has earned a reputation as a steadfast advocate and supporter among undergraduate students. His dedication to empowering students, according to Knapp, requires trusting them, while honing their academic skills in the classroom and through meaningful assignments. For accurate and comprehensive information about Knapp's impact on UCLA students, consulting UCLA’s music department resources or publications featuring Ray Knapp's work and teaching might be necessary.
Ray Knapp's teaching philosophy focuses on education-and-self-development and personal-growth, as he coaches students in developing their own projects and fosters a deep appreciation for learning through his innovative collaborations. His dedication to mentoring students, whether undergraduate or graduate, extends beyond the classroom, often resulting in significant personal achievements for his mentees.
