Eric Rasmussen, PhD (2004), is a distinguished educator and researcher in early childhood and elementary music education, specializing in the practical application of Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory (MLT). He earned his PhD in Music Education at Temple University, where he studied personally with Dr. Gordon for three years during his master’s studies.

Since 2000, Rasmussen has chaired the Early Childhood Music Department at the Peabody Preparatory of Johns Hopkins University, teaching a specialized MLT-based curriculum to children from birth through eight years old. From 2008 to 2015, he served as the musicianship (audiation) instructor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program, an El Sistema-inspired outreach initiative in a 100% Title One school in West Baltimore. Since 2015, he has taught music at two Johns Hopkins-affiliated childcare centers: the Homewood Early Learning Center and the Weinstein Early Childhood Center.

His research spans music aptitudes, the effects of music on exercise performance in diabetic patients, and innovative methods for teaching music to children with cochlear implants. Notably, he collaborated with Dr. Charles Limb to develop and assess a curriculum for children born profoundly hearing-impaired, designing both the instructional approach and the assessment measures.

Rasmussen began his teaching career in 1984 as an instrumental music and band instructor and has specialized in early childhood and elementary general music education for over thirty years. He has also observed, coached, and trained numerous public school music teachers, redesigned portions of Baltimore City’s music curriculum, and led professional development workshops.

As a composer, Rasmussen creates music for children from birth to nine years old and has authored a songbook for music educators, featuring a unique sequence for teaching harmony to very young children. He is recognized for expanding Music Learning Theory through the introduction of the Harmonic Learning Sequence and advocating for the inclusion of harmonic audiation stages alongside tonal and rhythmic stages.

A versatile performer, Rasmussen plays trumpet in several Baltimore-based bands, specializing in early traditional New Orleans jazz, as well as rock and R&B genres. He continues to perform locally whenever possible.

Dr. Rasmussen’s contributions have been recognized with honors such as the Peabody Preparatory 2008 Excellence in Teaching Award. He remains at the forefront of early childhood music education, advancing the field through his teaching, research, and creative work.