Assistant Professor
savagean@jmu.edu
Contact Info
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Annie Savage brings to James Madison University's School of Music a unique convergence of conservatory training, innovative pedagogy, and diverse artistry. A Presidential Scholar alumna of Interlochen Arts Academy and graduate of The Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music, she holds a Ph.D. in Music Education (string emphasis) from the University of Iowa. At JMU, she teaches courses in music education, string pedagogy, popular music pedagogy, graduate-level research courses, performs with campus ensembles, and hosts popular American roots community jam.
As a multi-instrumentalist on violin, harp, and voice, Savage performed with artists including Aretha Franklin and Ricky Skaggs. She co-founded and toured the pioneering jamgrass band, The Mayflies, the all-women’s freak folk project, The Awful Purdies, participated in the Turkish EDM movement of the late 1990s, and collaborates with MCs and artists in hip hop and R&B. Her award-winning band of 15 years, The Savage Hearts, reached #1 on International Folk Music DJ charts with their track, "Age" and has performed at venues including IBMA World of Bluegrass and the Vancouver Island Music Festival. Her performance career and catalogue of over 20 albums spans roots, classical, rock, old-time, and bluegrass music.
Savage's revolutionary approach to string pedagogy emerged from twenty four years of public school orchestral classroom experience, where she pioneered the integration of vernacular music into traditional string programs and designed mariachi, rock, hip hop, and popular music classes and ensembles. Her Free-Strings Method (www.free-strings.com), developed through extensive research and funded through a partnership of the Iowa Arts Council and Turnberry Records, has transformed string education by centering creativity, improvisation, and cultural responsiveness. The method's impact extends internationally through partnerships with the D'Addario Corporation, the IBMA Foundation, and widespread adoption in public schools.
Her scholarly contributions to String Research Journal and forthcoming publications establish Savage as a leading voice in culturally sustaining pedagogy in music education. Her doctoral dissertation, examining barriers to nontraditional ensemble programming, has directly influenced curriculum reform and teacher preparation programs. As Education Committee Chair for the International Bluegrass Music Association and recipient of their 2020 Mentor of the Year award, Savage is working to shape the future of American music education as inclusive, creative, and accessible.
At JMU, Savage's students benefit from her comprehensive expertise across music education methodologies, from elementary general music through advanced instrumental pedagogy. Her graduates continue the legacy of excellence, earning acceptance to prestigious institutions including The New School, Interlochen, and Berklee, while establishing successful careers in performance, education, and music industry leadership.
Savage's work spans traditional academic boundaries—she leads doctoral seminars, directs youth orchestras, and performs at international festivals. This combination of artistry, pedagogical expertise, and scholarly engagement positions her among the leading music educators of her generation, continuing the tradition of artist-teacher exemplified by conservatory faculty.
