Anthony Casamassima

Musician. Educator. Writer.

Anthony Sax Headshot.jpg

Mission Statement

I combine teaching, research, and service to help students use knowledge in their creative work. My research looks at how capital resources influence musicians' education and careers, aiming for fairness and access in music. By blending music education, technology, and sociocultural analysis, I create opportunities for musicians from various backgrounds and encourage community through teamwork and support. Through musicianship, education, and research, I build community blueprints that support collaboration and help students enhance their art and career development.


Consulting Areas:
• Creative Research & Artist Development
• Curriculum & Systems Design
• Equity & Community Mentorship
• Commercial Music & Preproduction

Personal Statement

I have been exploring music independently since an early age and started playing the saxophone in middle school band, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance in 2011 and a Master’s in Music Composition in 2016. I have toured the east coast as a soloist with numerous original music groups, and been featured locally in world-class musicians’ university exhibitions for over a decade. I also work with local community based organizations to enrich the musical environment of their programs and populations.

It was during my postsecondary education when I realized how challenging it was to gig and lead a relatively healthy lifestyle. My first master’s thesis was on lifestyle choices among musicians in different genres and provided my first experience in research. I went on to obtain a Master’s of Music Education in 2020 where I have done research on helping students with learning disabilities, inclusion and equity in music ed, and the effects of class on musicians’ labor market outcomes.

In 2025, I published my dissertation “The Professional Education Experiences of Professional Musicians Based on the Availability of Capital” and completed a PhD in Music Education, with a PBC in Music Technology. I’m currently engaged in an interdisciplinary approach to pedagogy, combining holistic education philosophy, sociological theory, and socioemotional healing through the performing arts to help students and professionals live fuller lives.