Academic Staff Profile: Jamie Henke

Office phone: 608/263-6822
jhenke@dcs.wisc.edu
Faculty Associate
Coordinator of Independent Learning in Music
Chair of the Macro Analysis Creative Research Organization

Academic Background and Work History

• Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance UW-Madison 1985
• PhD in Music Theory UW-Madison 1989

I've spent my academic career at different types of institutions in the UW System. My first two years of college were spent at a Center System School in Marathon County.  I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees at UW Madison. I then taught for two years at UW Whitewater, a four-year campus in the system. I returned to Madison to replace my major professor while he was on sabbatical, and was hired by Dick Wolf as an ad hoc instructor to teach the then new Basic Concepts of Music course through what was then called Independent Study. In May of 1992, I was hired to replace retiring Professor Ed Hugdahl, and have been here since, through several changes in independent Learning, and our department.

Describe your responsibilities.

I have a rather interesting job, in that my responsibilities are always changing, but I'll give this one a try. I am primarily responsible for the Independent Learning Program in the music area. I teach all of the music courses, except for world music, and supervise. My job also includes the writing and development of new courses, and the revision of existing courses. As of late, I have been responsible for projects involving the transfer of our print-based courses to a web format. We have recently established a program involving most of the LSA department that offers a new group of noncredit Internet courses involving online delivery systems. I serve as a member of our Division's Academic Staff Advisory Council, and represent that group once a semester at special Academic Staff Executive Committee meetings. I am the Chair, Cofounder, and Financial Officer of a music theory pedagogy group called MACRO. A grant at the UW Foundation allows us to offer an annual workshop, a biannual scholarly journal, newsletters, research grants, scholarships, and other awards. I also teach a music theory class for non-majors at the School of Music here on the Madison Campus.

What is your favorite task and what makes your job most rewarding?

My favorite task is teaching and working with students. The most challenging aspect of my job is to make "learning at a distance" with me as close to my "real classroom" atmosphere and experience as I can. When I find out from a student that I have been able to accomplish this, my job is at its best.

What are your favorite things that you do outside of the workplace?

My favorite thing to do outside the workplace is to spend time with my family. When I can find the time, my hobbies are gardening, photography, sewing, and I dabble a little in art.

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