The Sound of
Oksana Komarenko
Bio
Dr. Oksana Komarenko
Music Educator | Vocal Performer | Researcher | Instructional Consultant
Dr. Oksana Komarenko, DA, is an Instructional Consultant and Quality Matters Coordinator in the Division of Online and Strategic Learning at Ball State University, where she supports faculty in designing student-centered, emotionally sustainable learning environments. Her interdisciplinary expertise bridges music education, performance psychology, and instructional design, emphasizing clarity, structure, and emotional regulation in both traditional and online settings.
Oksana holds a Doctor of Arts in Music Education and Voice Performance with a cognate in Gifted and Talented Education. Her research focuses on pre-performance rituals, emotional regulation, and equity in music learning environments, exploring how structured rituals and routines enhance focus, reduce anxiety, and promote resilience among students and performers. She has presented her work internationally and published in leading journals such as Psychology of Music and the International Journal of Music Education. She is also a recipient of research and creative arts grants from the Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research (SEMPRE) and the Indiana Arts Commission.
As a performer, Oksana has appeared in leading operatic roles, including Verdi’s Rigoletto and Handel’s Cesare in Egitto, and performed at venues such as the Dubai Jazz Festival and the Ukrainian Embassy in the UAE. A 2023 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition winner, she continues to inspire students and audiences alike through her commitment to artistic excellence and authentic expression.
Deeply passionate about education, Dr. Komarenko’s teaching philosophy integrates holistic vocal technique, socio-emotional awareness, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Her global teaching and performance experience across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States shapes her belief that music is not only a form of artistic communication but also a pathway to community, identity, and human connection.
Scholarship and Research
Peer-reviewed Articles:
Komarenko, O. (in review). Group pre-performance rituals in music ensembles: Educator’s beliefs and practices.
Gold, R., Komarenko, O. & Ramirez, G. (in prep). How students use rituals to gain control in academic college settings.
Komarenko, O., Gold, R., & Ramirez, G. (2025). How music education students embrace pre-performance rituals to
enhance their craft. Psychology of Music, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356251331062
Komarenko, O., Ramirez, G., & Speirs Neumeister, C. (2024). High-pressure in music education: Understanding th
phenomenon and empowering students. International Journal of Music Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/02557614241265907
Peer-reviewed Conference
Komarenko, O. (2025). Ready, Set, Thrive: Designing Rituals that Foster Success. The workshop at the Ball State’s 4th Annual Student Success Summit: From Connections to Completion: Student Success Through Relationships, Readiness, and Resilience. Muncie, Indiana. September 16, 2025.
Komarenko, O. (2025). Mindful Music-Making: The Science of Group Pre-Performance Rituals in Performance. Poster presentation for the Chirp Week at Ball State University. Muncie. Indiana. April 16, 2025
Komarenko, O. (2025). Mindful Music-Making: The Science of Group Pre-Performance Rituals in Performance. Oral presentation for the Chirp Week at Ball State University. Muncie. Indiana. April 15, 2025.
Gold, R., Komarenko, O. & Ramirez, G. (2025). The Role of Pre-Performance Rituals in Education. Poster presentation for the Midwestern Psychological Association conference. Chicago, Illinois. April 11, 2025.
Komarenko, O. (2025). Tuning the Mind: How Group Rituals Shape Performance and Unity in Music Ensembles. Paper presentation for the College Music Society (CMS) Great Lakes Conference at Roosevelt University. Chicago, Illinois. March 7, 2025.
Komarenko, O. & Ramirez, G. (2025). Empowering Educators: Creating Effective Pre-Performance Rituals for Student Success. The workshop at the Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA) annual conference. Fort Wayne, Indiana. January 17, 2025.2024
Gold, R., Komarenko, O., Ramirez, G. & Rubenstein, L. (2024). Nurturing Young Leaders: Practical Strategies for Talent Spotting and Development. The workshop at the Indiana Association for the Gifted (IAG). Indianapolis, Indiana. December 10, 2024.
Komarenko, O. (2024). The power of Pre-Performance Rituals in Music. Poster presentation for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Conference. Knoxville, Tennessee. June 2024.
Komarenko, O. & Ramirez, G. (2024). Ritual Use in Music Education. Paper presentation for the Midwestern Psychological Association conference. Chicago, Illinois. April 18, 2024.
Komarenko, O. (2024). The Power of Pre-Performance Rituals in Music. Poster presentation for the Indiana Music Educators Association annual conference. Fort Wayne, Indiana. January 2024
Komarenko, O. (2024). High-Pressure in Music Education: Understanding the Phenomenon and Empowering Students. Poster presentation for the Indiana Music Educators Association annual conference. Fort Wayne, Indiana. January 2024.
Komarenko, O. (2024). High-Pressure in Music Education: Understanding the Phenomenon and Empowering Students. Paper presentation for the Hawaii International Conference on Education. Waikoloa, Hawaii. January 4, 2024.
Kang, S. & Komarenko, O. (2023). Can We Ever Truly Feel Interculturally Competent? Research presentation for the Mountain Lake Colloquium. Pembroke, Virginia. May 21, 2023.
Kang, S. & Komarenko, O. (2023). Can We Ever Truly Feel Interculturally Competent? Poster presented at the Indiana Music Educators Association annual conference. Fort Wayne, Indiana. January 2023.
Invited Talks
Komarenko, O. (2025). The Psychology of Rituals: Supporting Focus, Confidence, and Learning. Virtual presentation and Q&A for the Department of Psychology at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexico. October 2025
Komarenko, O. (2025). Ритуали перед виступом та емоційна регуляція: Розвиток зосередженості та впевненості через цілеспрямовані практики [Pre-performance rituals and emotional regulation: Cultivating focus and confidence through intentional practices]. Talk-training presented to teachers at Lviv State School of Art №11 (virtual professional development session), Ukraine. October 2025
Komarenko, O. (2025). Rituals and Resilience: Self-Regulation and Performance Under Pressure. Online presentation and Q&A for the Department of Psychology at California State University, San Bernardino, California. October 14, 2025
Komarenko, O. (2025). Сила ритуалів: Як створити атмосферу єдності та зосередженості на уроці [The power of rituals: Fostering connection and focus in the classroom]. Workshop presented to teachers at Ukrainian School "Sophia," Dubai (online professional development session), United Arab Emirates. October 2, 2025
Komarenko, O. & Ramirez, G. (2025). Symbol, Structure, and Support: Ritual Practices Among Professors at Ball State University. Online presentation and Q&A for the University Assessment Committee (UAC), Muncie, Indiana. September 23, 2025
Komarenko, O. (2025). Rituals as Tools for Emotion Regulation in High-Pressure Academic Contexts. Virtual presentation and Q&A for the Department of Psychology at University of Ottawa, Canada. August 22, 2025
Komarenko, O. (2025). Creating Effective Rituals for Belonging and Cohesion in Arts-Based Learning Environments. Invited Workshop Facilitator at the Project Brilliance Teacher Training Retreat (Javits Grant-Funded Initiative). Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. May 27, 2025
Komarenko, O. & Zakharova, R. (2025). Bridging Cultures Through Music: A Journey with the Bandura. Invited talk presenter at Taylor University World Music, Music History courses. Upland, Indiana. April 4, 2025.
Komarenko, O. & Zakharova, R. (2025). From Ukraine to the World: Exploring Culture Through the Bandura. Invited talk presented for Ball State University Elementary Music Education Methods course. Muncie, Indiana. March 27, 2025.
Komarenko, O. & Zakharova, R. (2025). Bridging Cultures Through Music: A Journey with the Bandura. Invited talk presented for the Anderson University Introduction to Music Education Course. Anderson, Indiana. February 18, 2025.
Komarenko, O. (2024). Intercultural Exchange: Music Education in Ukraine. Invited talk presented for the Anderson University Introduction to Music Education Course. Anderson, Indiana. March 2024.
Komarenko, O. (2024). Music Around the World. The invited talk for the NAfME at Ball State event. Muncie, Indiana. March 2024.
Komarenko, O. (2023). The Power of Pre-Performance Rituals in Music. Invited talk presented at the 2023 Educational Psychology Research Symposium. Muncie, Indiana. December 2023.
Komarenko, O. (2023). Voice Health: A Guide to Maintaining Your Instrument. Presentation for the Anderson University Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Education. Anderson, Indiana. April 2023.
Komarenko, O. (2023). Intercultural Exchange: Music Education for Children in Ukraine. Presentation for the Anderson University Introduction to Music Education Course. Anderson, Indiana. March 2023.
Komarenko, O. (2022). Ukraine Culture and Traditions. Presentation for the Ball State Lifelong Learners Organization. Muncie, Indiana. September 2022.
Komarenko, O. (2022). Intercultural Exchange: Music Education for Children in Ukraine. Presentation for the Anderson University Introduction to Music Education Course. Anderson, Indiana. March 2022.
Get in touch
For any questions or inquiries regarding events, such as performances, masterclasses, presentations, workshops, as well as private voice and/or piano lessons, please feel free to contact me.
With extensive experience as a performer, educator, and researcher, I am excited to collaborate and share my expertise in music education, vocal performance, and interdisciplinary artistry.
