Ellary Draper, Ph.D., MT-BC, (NICU-MT) is Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at The University of Alabama. She holds degrees in music education from Westminster Choir College (BM), music therapy from Florida State University (MM), and music and human learning from The University of Texas at Austin (PhD).

Prior to attending The University of Texas, Dr. Draper worked as a music therapist with a variety of ages and populations outside of Houston. She also has experience as an elementary general music teacher. Dr. Draper’s research interests are in the areas of children with disabilities, particularly in inclusive music classrooms.

Currently, she serves as the Chair of Special Education for the Alabama Music Educators Association and Chair for the Standards of Clinical Practice Committee for the American Music Therapy Association. A regular presenter at national and regional music therapy and music education conferences, her research is also published in the Journal of Music Therapy, Journal of Research in Music Education, applications of Research in Music Education, General Music Today, and Ala Breve.