Austin Ahlborn is a PhD student and graduate teaching associate in music education at The Ohio State University, where he recently completed an MA in Music Education, an MPA, and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management. His research focuses on issues of accessibility in music education and the role of nonprofits in serving students and educators. 

As an educator, Austin previously taught grades 5–12 band and general music at Lincolnview and Fairbanks Local Schools. He currently maintains a small private bassoon studio, and his students have consistently earned top ratings at Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) adjudicated events. As a performer, Austin is a bassoonist with the Heisey Wind Ensemble, and is a tenor in the First Community Church Cambridge Choir and Marble Cliff Singers.  

Ahlborn is also actively involved in the arts nonprofit space. He currently serves as the OMEA advocacy chair, working with teachers, lawmakers, and various stakeholders across the state to advocate on behalf of music students and music educators. He also holds roles with the Connexus Performing Arts Association and Wild Goose Creative.

Austin lives in Hilliard with his wife Alyssa, a choir teacher at Olentangy Liberty High School, and their three cats, Jubal, Phoebe, and Rat. In his free time, he enjoys tennis, a good fantasy or sci-fi novel, and exploring new coffee gear.