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Patrick Feely
Biography
Dr. Patrick Feely is an Assistant Professor of Music Education in the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University. His research examines the role of observational learning, self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning in instrumental music education, with particular attention to how modelling influences students' musical development, confidence, and independent learning.
His doctoral research investigated the effects of coping and mastery models on undergraduate non-music majors learning classical guitar. Drawing on social cognitive theory, his work explores how observing others navigate learning challenges can influence students' beliefs about their capabilities and their approaches to musical practice. He has presented his research at national and international conferences, including the National Association for Music Education, International Society for Music Education, and Guitar Foundation of America.
At Western, Dr. Feely teaches group guitar instruction to prospective music educators and an asynchronous beginner guitar course for non-music majors. His teaching integrates principles of self-regulated learning, peer assessment, and the progressive development of student independence. In his guitar methods course, students gradually assume responsibility for rehearsal, conducting, and ensemble leadership, connecting theoretical principles of music learning with practical classroom applications.
Dr. Feely holds a PhD and Master of Music in Music Education from Western University and a Master of Music in Guitar Performance from the University of Toronto. He previously taught at McMaster University, including courses in guitar performance and psychology of music.
An active educator and professional musician, he serves as a guitar examiner with the Royal Conservatory of Music and has adjudicated music competitions internationally. He is also the founder and Artistic Director of the Guitar Society of Brantford, where he develops community-based guitar education programs for children, adults, and seniors.
Website: patrickfeely.ca