Shannon McAlister is an Adjunct Faculty member for the UConn Music Department and a Disability Service Professional for the UConn Center for Students with Disabilities. She holds a PhD in Music Theory and History from the University of Connecticut, an MA in Music Theory from the University of Connecticut, a BM in Music Education from the University of Delaware, and several graduate certificates in Postsecondary Disability Services, Disability Studies in Public Health, and College Instruction from the University of Connecticut.

Shannon taught a wide range of undergraduate music theory and history courses throughout her six years as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Connecticut. During this time, she received the 2026 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from the UConn School of Fine Arts. As an undergraduate, Shannon was awarded the Major John DeMartini Scholarship from the University of Delaware School of Music for demonstrating humanitarianism, professionalism, integrity, and unselfishness.

Shannon’s research areas include disability studies, music theory/history pedagogy, and medical ethnomusicology. Her dissertation analyzes music used for spreading public health messages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shannon has published an article on hidden disabilities in the college music classroom in the Music Research Forum, Vol. 37 (2023) and on Universal Design for Learning in higher education in the Journal of Musicology Pedagogy, Vol. 15, No. 2 (2025). A native of Long Island, Shannon enjoys hiking throughout New England and is always planning her next trip to the outdoors.