Dr. Huiting Yang has been appointed director of the John M. Long School of Music at Troy University.
She will assume the position previously held by Dr. Larry Blocher, who held the position for 17 years until retiring in July 2022.
Mr. Yang joined the university in 2007 as a piano instructor and served as interim director of the School of Music from 2022 to July 2024.
“Yan Huiting is a dedicated leader who is deeply committed to the success of the Long School of Music,” said Dr. Michael Thrasher, dean of the School of Communication Arts. “She is an outstanding musician and a constant advocate of the value of music education. I have full confidence in her ability to lead the School of Music into the future.”
Dr. Scott Sexton, assistant professor of music education, is a former student of Yang’s and is excited to see her career trajectory continue.
“She is a great leader, very fair and supports the faculty 100 percent,” he said. “She’s a go-getter and I think this is really exciting for the School of Music.”
Dr. Yang says future plans are to further expand the music industry program and fill positions to meet the needs of the music education program. She also said she is excited to continue working with the team.
“I’m a big believer in team effort, because I can’t accomplish everything by myself,” Yang said. “As a good leader, you have to have clear goals about what you want to achieve and then find the right people to work with. That’s really important and the key to success.”
Yang believes her role allows her to have the best of both worlds, as while she has to fulfill administrative responsibilities, she still has the opportunity to teach and interact with students.
Dr. Yang says the School of Music’s strong alumni network is a great memory and motivation for her.
“When I look at our graduates and their students, I see renewed energy and potential for music educators,” she said. “They remind me why I’m here, and through them I find hope for the future.”
Jan is an active performer and educator. She has performed, lectured, and conducted master classes in the Czech Republic, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and the United States.
In spring 2022, Dr. Yang was selected as a Troy University Presidential Fellow and has since advocated for faculty training and student mental health crisis preparedness.
She also earned a Doctorate of Music in Collaborative/Chamber Music and a Master of Music in Accompaniment Music from Florida State University, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Ohio University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Taipei University.
Dr. Yang is a Steinway Artist and a 2023 inductee into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame.
