The DePaul University School of Music is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Justin Caithaml (they/them) as Professional Lecturer of Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Music Education, starting full time in the fall of 2026. Dr. Caithaml joins the Music Education department after most recently serving as Assistant Professor of Music Education, Chair of Music, and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Bridgeport, CT. 

“We have a thriving Music Education program at DePaul, and the addition of Justin Caithaml to the faculty adds breadth and dimension that will help prepare our future music educators,” said Dean John Milbauer.  “Justin brings expertise, enthusiasm, and growth mindset to DePaul, and I am delighted to welcome them to our faculty."

A passionate advocate for equity and access in music education, Dr. Caithaml’s current research focuses on more deeply understanding gender and sexuality discourse in the music education profession. When they join the Music Education program this fall, they will be teaching foundational courses, choral methods, and graduate coursework. 

“I am pleased to have Dr. Caithaml join our faculty in the DePaul School of Music,” said Dr. Sara Jones, Associate Professor and Director of Music Education. “They bring a wealth of performing and teaching experience and will be a wonderful contributor to our music education program.”

Justin completed their PhD in Music Education at the University of Maryland, where they served as an instructor for student teaching seminars and as a research assistant in the Music and Arts Education Data Lab, an NEA research lab. They also hold degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University (MA in Music and Music Education) and Baldwin Wallace University (BME). 

"I am thrilled to be joining the incredible team of music education faculty at DePaul alongside two trailblazers in our field: Dr. Kelly-McHale and Dr. Jones,” said Dr. Justin Caithaml. “I am inspired by their work which emphasizes culturally responsive curricular frameworks in music education and am excited to contribute to this mission-driven work in our daily teaching, where we honor the dignity of every human being.”

Ensembles under their direction have collaborated with choirs from Westminster Choir College and have performed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, the Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. In addition, they have presented practitioner sessions on advocacy and inclusive policy at state music education conferences in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Visit Dr. Caithaml’s faculty bio page to learn more about their career and background.