Dr. Widen has been a full-time member of the Music Faculty at Southwestern Oklahoma State University since 2002. He received a Bachelor of Music Education, a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Piano Performance from Drake University, and a Ph.D. in Music Education/Piano Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma.

At Southwestern Dr, Widen is Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music and is member of the university’s Graduate Council. Dr. Widen directs the Group Piano program and teaches Music Theory I & II, as well as graduate courses in Music Research and Foundations of Music Education.

Dr. Widen has studied piano and piano pedagogy with Dr. Kenneth Drake, Dr. Jane Magrath and E.L. Lancaster. Dr. Widen is a member of the Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA), Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and the College Music Society.

Throughout the academic year, Dr. Widen frequently serves as accompanist for student and faculty recitals. In addition to his teaching and performing activities, he is also currently working on a book titled A Pedagogy of Group Piano Teaching.