Dijana Ihas

Dr. Dijana Ihas is a Professor of Music Education and the Director of Orchestral Studies at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. She teaches core music education courses along with string pedagogy, string methods/materials, and string techniques. Her primary instrument is the viola. Dijana (pronounced Dee-yana) is a regular presenter on string pedagogy and string education topics at state, regional, national, and international conferences and is frequently invited guest conductor for school orchestra festivals. Her publications appeared in the American String Teacher magazine, Journal of String Research, and Council for Undergraduate Research Quarterly, among others. Dr. Ihas holds a PhD in Music Education from the University of Oregon. In 2018 she received Pacific University the Faculty Achievement Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Teaching, Scholarship, and Service and in 2021 she was a recipient of Oregon Music Educators Association Outstanding Music Educator award. Yoga, transcendental meditation, practicing her viola, reading, and writing are important parts of Dijana’s life. When she is not busy with her work, Dijana enjoys spending time with her son, family, and friends.