WSU alum John Edwartowski has taken on the academic advising role in the WSU Department of Music. He is also a part-time faculty member in music as well. Read on to learn more about John.

ATA: Tell us a little bit about your educational background and how it relates to your current position. 

JE: I've worn many hats during my musical career. I began my undergraduate journey at Wayne State in the mid-90s as a Chruch and Organ Music major but delayed completing my studies in order to work as the Musical Director for The Second City (Detroit) from 1999-2009, where I wrote music for more than a dozen mainstage revues. I finished a BA in Music (2005) and an MM in Music Theory/Composition (2013)--also from Wayne State-- followed by a PhD in Music Theory (2021) from the University of MIchigan. Along the way I also facilitated and mentored a student-driven ensemble at Washtenaw Community College. I have been an adjunct faculty member in Wayne State's Music Department since Winter 2019 and have taught both graduate and undergraduate music theory and piano courses. My backgrounds as both a Wayne State alum and faculty member, and my experience as a working musiician serve to help me meet students where they are and to understand the trajectories of their aspirations.

ATA: Can you please tell us a little bit about your student affairs background before joining WSU?  

JE: I consider my time as a teacher, whether as a private piano teacher or as a faculty member sharing a love of music, my first foray into student affairs. Working as a mentor at Washtenaw Community College and Washtenaw Technical Middle College and leading the Ad Hoc Orchestra helped me help students learn to navigate working as members of a creative ensemble where the students chose the music and the only requirement was that they said "yes, and..." and supported each other's choices.

ATA: When you are not advising, what are some things you like to do for fun?  

JE: When I'm not advising, I putter in the garage, play music, and game.

ATA: Any interesting or fun facts about yourself that you would like to share?  

JE: In 2005, I co-wrote a musical, Cancer! The Musical, with Wayne State alum Shawn Handlon and his brother (also a Wayne State alum) Dr. Tom Donnellon. It won an Audience Choice Award from Between the Lines newspaper and has been produced numerous times locally and on both coasts.