MUSICOLOGY  MUSIC THEORY ETHNOMUSICOLOGY

Musicology Alumni

2020–2026 

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Alexa Frederick  MA, Musicology (2026)     
Robbie Segars  PhD, Musicology (2026)     
Peter Kohanski  PhD and MA, Musicology (2026)     
Emily Hicks  PhD, Musicology (2024)  The Augsburg Stadtpfeifer: Financial, Sonic, and Social Significance in the Early Modern German City  Adjunct, University of North Texas, and Area Institutions 
Robert Anderson  PhD, Musicology (2022)  Ideal Hausmusik: Brahms’s Vocal Quartets (Opp. 31, 52, 64, 65, 92, 103, and 112) and the Politics of Domestic Music ca. 1848–1900  Visiting Assistant Professor of Musicology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Jessica Stearns  PhD, Musicology (2022)  Performing Translations: Rethinking Christian Wolff’s Alternative Notation (1960–1968) in the Context of His Creative Communities 

Associate Professor of Music in Musicology/Ethnomusicology, East Texas A&M University 


Brian Anderson  PhD, Musicology (2022)  A Quantitative Approach to the History of Music Binder's Volumes (1820–1900)  Senior Lecturer of Music History Pedagogy, University of North Texas 
Camila Zimmerman  MA, Musicology (2022)    Audiovisual Technician, Special Collections, University of Georgia Libraries 
Elizabeth Durrant  MA, Musicology (2021)    PhD Student, Music and African American Studies, Yale University 
Adam La Spata  PhD, Musicology (2020)  Psalms, Hymns, and Commercial Songs: Tradition and Innovation in James Lyon’s “Urania”   
Amy Cooper  MM + PhD, Musicology (2020)  Borrowing Culture: British Music Circulating Libraries and Domestic Musical Practice, 1853–1910  Instructor of Musicology, University of Arkansas 
Kinley Johnson  MA, Musicology (2020)    PhD Student, Duke University 
Hunter Hancock  MA, Musicology (2024)     
Anna Wodny  MA, Musicology    Archivist, Georgia State University Library 
Joyce Asber  MA, Musicology    JD, Boston College Law School 
Tanaporn Rajatanavin  MA, Musicology    Mahidol International Demonstration School, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand 

 

2010–2019 

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Blaine Brubaker  MA, Musicology (2019); MS, Library Science (2020 )   Manager for Cataloging & Metadata Services, East View Information Services 
Andrea Recek  PhD, Musicology (2018)  Shaping Hagiography through Liturgy: Music for the Patron Saints of Three Cathedrals in Medieval Aquitaine  Director of Programs, Albany Public Schools Foundation (Albany, OR) 
Clare Carrasco  PhD, Musicology (2016)  The Most Expressionist of All the Arts: Programs, Politics, and Performance in Critical Discourse about Music and Expressionism, c.1918–1923  Honors Faculty Fellow, Arizona State University  
Jonathan Sauceda  PhD, Musicology (2016)  Opera and Society in Early-Twentieth-Century Argentina: Felipe Boero's El Matrero  Associate Dean & Head of the Sibley Music Library, Eastman School of Music 
Megan Varvir Coe  PhD, Musicology (2016)  Composing Symbolism’s Musicality of Language in Fin-de-siècle France   
Kimary Fick  PhD, Musicology (2015)  Sensitivity, Inspiration, and Rational Aesthetics: Experiencing Music in the North German Enlightenment  Instructor of Music History, Oregon State University 
Kristin Wolski  MM, Musicology (2013)    Coordinator of Music Acquisitions, University Libraries, University of North Texas 
Mark Breckenridge  PhD, Musicology (2012)  “Sounds for Adventurous Listeners”: Willis Conover, the Voice of America, and the International Reception of Avant-garde Jazz in the 1960s  Instructor of Trombone, Brass Methods, and Music History, St. Cloud State University 
Mary Heiden  PhD, Musicology (2011)  Patronage, Connoisseurship and Antiquarianism in Georgian England: The Fitzwilliam Music Collection (1763–1815)  Adjunct Lecturer of Music History, UT Tyler (Retired from Kilgore College) 
Masataka Yoshioka  PhD, Musicology (2010)  Singing the Republic: Polychoral Culture at San Marco in Venice (1550–1615)  Instructor, Hiroshima, Japan 

 

2000-2009

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
William McGinney PhD, Musicology (2009)  The Sounds of the Dystopian Future: Music for Science Fiction Films of the New Hollywood Era, 1966–1976   Adjunct Professor of Music History, University of North Texas 
Gyongy Iren Erodi  MM, Early Music (2009)  The sixteenth-century basse de violon: fact or fiction?, Identification of the bass violin (1535–1635)  Performing Artist and Cello Teacher (Germany), Affiliation Unknown 
Aaron West  PhD, Musicology (2008)  Caught Between Jazz and Pop: The Contested Origins, Criticism, Performance Practice, and Reception of Smooth Jazz  Music Faculty, Collin College 
Joan Avant-Rossi  MA, Musicology (2008)  Michael Nyman, The man who mistook his wife for a hat  Performing Artist, Victorian Gothic Symphonic Rock (https://joanavant.com/) 
Rebecca Ringer Estridge  PhD, Musicology (2007)  Beyond the "Year of Song": Text and Music in the Song Cycles of Robert Schumann after 1848  Music Director and Development Associate, Hope Farm 
Katie Buehner  MM, Musicology (2007)    Director, Rita Benton Music Library, University of Iowa 
Eric Jones  MM, Ethnomusicology (2007)  In-between music: The musical creation of cholo identity in Cochabamba, Bolivia   
Heeseung Lee  PhD, Musicology (2006)  The "Beethoven Folksong Project" in the Reception of His Music  Assistant Professor at the University of Northern Colorado 
Kimberly Harris  PhD, Musicology (2005)   Poetry and Patronage: Alessandro Scarlatti, The Accademia Degli Arcadia, and the Development of the Conversazione Cantata in Rome 1700–1710  Music Faculty, Collin College 
Earnest Lamb  PhD, Musicology (2005)     Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, State University of New York College at Purchase 
Kevin Salfen  PhD, Musicology (2005)   Myth in the Early Collaborations of Benjamin Britten and William Plomer  Associate Dean, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; Professor of Music, University of the Incarnate Word 
Hector Sequera  MM, Musicology (2005)    Lecturer in Performance, Durham University 
Kyung-Young Chung  PhD, Musicology (2004)     Professor of Music, Hanyang University 
R. Todd Rober   PhD, Musicology (2003)   Form, Style, Function, and Rhetoric in Gottlob Harrer's Sinfonias: A Case Study in the Early History of the Symphony  Associate Professor of Music, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 
Gregory Straughn  PhD, Musicology (2003)   Reconstructing Convention: Ensemble Forms in the Operas of Jules Massenet  College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Abilene Christian University 
John Dunn  MM, Musicology (2002)    Associate Professor of Fine Arts, Northwestern State University of Louisiana 
Susannah Cleveland  MM, Musicology (2001)    Head Music Librarian, University of North Texas 

 

1990-1999

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Brett Boutwell  MM, Musicology (1999)    Associate Professor of Musicology and William F. Swor Alumni Professor, Louisiana State University 
Alejandro Madrid  MM, Musicology (1999)    Walter W. Naumburg Professor of Music, Harvard University 
Allison Ann Alcorn  PhD, Musicology (1997)     Professor of Musicology, Illinois State University 
Jeremy Leong   MM, Musicology (1997)    Assistant Professor of Musicology, UCSI University Malaysia 
David Hamrick  PhD, Musicology (1996)   Cadential Syntax and Mode in the Sixteenth-Century Motet: A Theory of Compositional Process and Structure from Gallus Dressler's Praecepta Musicae Poeticae  Cataloging Librarian, Texas Christian University 
Matt Stock  MM, Musicology (1996)    Fine & Applied Arts Librarian, University of Oklahoma  
Vicki Stroeher  PhD, Musicology (1994)   Form and Meaning in Benjamin Britten's Sonnet Cycles  Professor of Music History, Marshall University 
James Parsons  PhD, Musicology (1992)   Ode to the Ninth: the Poetic and Musical Tradition Behind the Finale of Beethoven's Choral Symphony  Distinguished Professor of Music History, Missouri State University 
Christine Getz  PhD, Musicology (1991)   Music and Patronage in Milan 1535–1550 and Vincenzo Ruffo's First Motet Book  Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Professor in the Conservatory, University of Missouri–Kansas City
Jan McDaniel  MM, Musicology (1990)    Professor of Music, Oklahoma City University 

 

1980-1989

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Russell E. Murray Jr.   MM, Musicology (1999)    Associate Professor of Musicology and William F. Swor Alumni Professor, Louisiana State University 
Stuart Cheney  MM, Musicology (1999)    Walter W. Naumburg Professor of Music, Harvard University 
Terri Teal  PhD, Musicology (1997)     Professor of Musicology, Illinois State University 
Susan Treacy  PhD, Musicology (1986)  English Devotional Song of the Seventeenth Century in Printed Collections from 1638 to 1693: A Study of Music and Culture  Professor of Music Emerita, Ave Maria University 
James Siddons  PhD, Musicology (1983)  On the Nature of Melody in Asia and Medieval Europe  Professor of Music, Liberty University  
Terry Fansler  PhD, Musicology (1982)  The Anthem in America: 1900–1950  Associate Professor of Music and Director of Studies in Music Business, Dallas Baptist University 
Bill Smialek  PhD, Musicology (1981)  Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński (1807–1867): His Life and Symphonies  Consultant and former Director of Development, East Texas Youth Orchestra 

 

Prior To 1980

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Dyke Kiel  PhD, Musicology (1979)    Professor Emeritus, Cottey College 
Nancy Lefter  MM, Musicology (1978)    Director of Choral Activities, The Citadel 
Gene Vollen (Passed)  PhD, Musicology (1970)    Professor Emeritus, Pittsburg State University 
Morgan Powell (Passed)  MM, Musicology (1961)    Professor Emeritus of Composition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

Music Theory Alumni

2020–2026 

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Alison Parker  MA, Musicology (2026)   

DMA, Flute Performance, University of North Texas 

Xiao Yun  PhD, Music Theory (2025)  “Tonal Enigmas: A Study of Problematic Openings and Endings” 

Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Theory, Wabash College 

Emma Hans  MA, Music Theory (2024)  Two papers in Lieu of Thesis   
Sylvia Hsu  MA, Music Theory (2024)  “Analyzing Epics: Musical Formula in Video Game Boss Battle Music”   
Leonardo Zuno  PhD, Music Theory (2024)  “Inward, Outward, and Liminal Spaces in Beethoven”  Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing And Visual Arts 
José Barnett  MA, Music Theory (2023)  Two papers in Lieu of Thesis  
Matthew Oliver  PhD, Music Theory (2023)  “Harmonic Function in Rock: A Melodic Approach”   
Alexandra Rouw  MA, Music Theory (2023)  “A Musical Courtship: Clara Schumann’s Six Lieder, Opus 13”   
Dorian Stewart  MA, Music Theory (2023)  Two papers in Lieu of Thesis

PhD, Music Theory, University of Oregon 

Eric Swartz  MA, Music Theory (2023)  “A Musical Representation of Jewish Faith in Ernest Bloch’s 1923 ‘Baal Shem Suite’”   
Matthew Bilik  PhD, Music Theory (2022)  “Motivic Stratification in Fauré’s Late Chamber Works: Perspectives on Voice Leading and Tonal Coherence” 

Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut  

Amy Hatch  PhD, Music Theory (2022)  “Developing Ogolevet’s Doubly Augmented Prime: Semitonal Voice Leading in the Music of Shostakovich” 

Director of AP Theory, College Board

Bryan Stevens Espinosa  PhD, Music Theory (2022); MA, Music Theory (2015) 

“Theorizing Sonata Form from the Margins: The Keyboard Sonata in Eighteenth-Century Spain” (2022) 

“Formal Organization in Ground-bass Compositions” (2015) 

Assistant Professor of Music Theory, Sam Houston University 

Melinda Knowling  MA, Music Theory (2022)  Two papers in Lieu of Thesis   
Jeremy Nowak  PhD, Music Theory (2022)  “Elements of Formal Continuity in Robert Schumann’s ‘Novelletten,’ op. 21 and Other Piano Works”   
He Wang  MA, Music Theory (2022)  “A Study of Large-Scale Auxiliary Cadence Types in Songs of Schubert, Brahms and Berg”   
Yiyi Gao  PhD, Music Theory (2021)  “Nontraditional Six-Four Chords and Their Impact on Middleground Structures in Schumann, Brahms, and Saint-Säens”  Independent Piano Teacher 
Joseph Turner  PhD, Music Theory (2021)  “Theory and Practice in Book 2 of Ugolino’s (c.1380-1457) ‘Declaratio musicae disciplinae’”   
Patrick Sallings  PhD, Music Theory (2021)  “Change, Longing, and Frustration in Djent-Style Progressive Metal”   
Lerie Dellosa  MA, Music Theory (2021)  “Messiaen’s Musical Language: Technique and Theological Symbolism in Les Corps Glorieux, ‘Combat De La Mort Et De La Vie’” 

Guitar Instructor, Arkansas Arts Academy 

David Huff 

PhD, Music Theory (2020); MM, Music Theory (2010) 

“Sounds Themselves: Intersections of Serialism and Musique Concrète in Karlheinz Stockhausen’s ‘Elektronische Studie I’” (2020) 

“Prolongation in Post-Tonal Music: A Survey of Analytical Techniques and Theoretical Concepts with an Analysis of Alban Berg’s Op. 2, No. 4, Warm Die Lüfte” (2010) 

Sound Preservationist, University of North Texas Libraries 

Lance Russell 

PhD, Music Theory (2020)


“The Phenomenology of Harmonic Progression”  Independent Scholar 
Andrew Vagts 

PhD, Music Theory (2020) 

“Fanfare and Pastoral Topics in Mozart’s Così fan tutte” 

Lecturer of Music Theory, Baylor University 

 

2010–2019 

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Jason Patterson  PhD, Music Theory (2019)   

Adjunct Faculty, Collin College 

David Falterman  MA, Music Theory (2019)   

Assistant Professor of Music Theory, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Tish Davenport  PhD, Music Theory (2018)   

Music Minister, Searcy First United Methodist Church 

Jayson Smith  PhD, Music Theory (2018)   

 

 

Jenny Oliver  MA, Music Theory (2018)   

Administrative Coordinator & Box Office Manager, Wichita Falls Symphony 

Sara Bowden  BM, Music Theory (2018)   

Visual Instructor, 7th Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps 

Austin Simonds  BM, Music Theory (2017)   

 

Michele Newman  PBM, Music Theory (2017)   

PhD Candidate, Information Science, University of Washington

Benjamin Graf  PhD, Music Theory (2016)   

Principal Lecturer of Music Theory, University of North Texas 

Colin Davis  PhD, Music Theory (2015)   

 

Benjamin Dobbs  PhD, Music Theory (2015)   

Assistant Professor of Music Theory, Furman University 

Jeff Ensign  PhD, Music Theory (2015)   

Production Analyst, Music Reports, Inc. 

Reiner Kramer  PhD, Music Theory (2015)   

Associate Professor of Music Theory, University of Northern Colorado

Mike Rogers  PhD, Music Theory (2015)   

Associate Professor, Director of Jazz Studies, & Coordinator of Music Theory, Abilene Christian University

Karel (Kája) Lill  MA, Music Theory (2015)   

Assistant Professor of Music Theory, UMKC 

Raychel Taylor  BM, Music Theory (2015)   

Founder, Girls March 

 

Alexander Amato  PhD, Music Theory (2014)   

Assistant Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University

Jennifer Weaver  PhD, Music Theory (2014)   

Chair, Music Department; Program Director, Music Theory; Professor of Music, Dallas Baptist University  

Rachel Herbaugh  MA, Music Theory (2014)   

 

Molly Covington  BM, Music Theory (2014)   

PhD in Musicology, Indiana University 

Irán Román  BM, Music Theory (2013)   

Postdoctoral Research, New York University’s Music and Audio Research Laboratory 

Katy Kinard  MM, Music Theory (2013)   

Sr. Administrative Coordinator for Awards and Admissions, University of North Texas 

Ryan Taycher  MA, Music Theory (2013); BM, Composition (2010)   

Adjunct Faculty, Roosevelt University, Chicago College of Performing Arts 

Cara Stroud  MM, Music Theory (2012)   

Chair of Music Theory Area; Associate Professor, Michigan State University 

Michael Lively  PhD, Music Theory (2010)   

Lecturer of Music Theory, Southern Methodist University 

 

Select Prior to 2010 

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Colleen Conlon  PhD, Music Theory (2009)   

Sr. Graduate Academic Advisor, University of North Texas 

Tim Hughes  MM, Music Theory (1995)   

Senior Lecturer of Music Theory, University of West London, London College of Music 

James McGowan  MM, Music Theory (1995)   

Associate Professor; Supervisor of Performance, Ensembles, & Masterclasses, Carleton University

Cynthia Gonzales  MM, Music Theory (1990)   

Professor of Music, Texas State University  

Mark Spicer  MM, Music Theory (1990); BM, Music Theory (1987)   

Professor of Music, Hunter College and City University of New York Graduate Center 

Timothy McKinney  PhD, Music Theory (1989)   

Professor of Music Theory, Baylor University 

John Murphy  MM, Music Theory (1986)   

Former Chair of Division of Jazz Studies; Professor of Jazz History, University of North Texas 

Jane Clendinning  MM, Music Theory (1983)   

Professor of Music Theory, Florida State University

Ethnomusicology Alumni

2020-2026 

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Meng Ren  PhD, Ethnomusicology (2025)  "Forbidden Sounds: The Art, Culture, and Politics of Chinese Hip Hop." 

 

Jacob Bissell  MA, Ethnomusicology (2024)   

Independent Artist 

Yuxin Mei  PhD, Ethnomusicology (2024); MA, Ethnomusicology (2017)  “Powerful Fingers, Elegant Bodies: Reclaiming Chinese Pipa’s Feminine History” (PhD) 

Adjunct Professor, University of North Texas, Southern Methodist University, and University of Texas at Dallas 

Yang T. Chen  MA, Ethnomusicology (2020)   

 

Lizeth C. Domínguez  MA, Ethnomusicology (2020)   

Mariachi Director, South Grand Prairie High School 

José R. Torres-Ramos  PhD, Ethnomusicology (2020)  “Mariachismo: Music, Machismo, and Mexicanidad” 

Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology, San José State University 

Director, Mariachi San José 

Thanmayee Holalkere Krishnamurthy  MA, Ethnomusicology (2019)   

South Indian Karnatic Musician, PhD Student in Ethnomusicology, University of North Texas 

Nate Ash-Morgan  MA, Ethnomusicology  

PhD in Ethnomusicology, University of North Texas 

Avery Wright  MA, Ethnomusicology  

PhD in Ethnomusicology, University of North Texas 

 

2010-2019 

Name Degree Thesis/Dissertation Title  Current Studies or Job Placement  
Sean Peters  MA, Ethnomusicology (2017), PhD, Music and Sound Studies (Cornell, 2025)   

 

Arathi Govind  MM, Ethnomusicology (2012)   

Program Officer, Redford Center 
Board of Directors, Music at Kohl Mansion 
PhD (2019), UC Berkeley 

Myranda Harris  MM, Ethnomusicology (2012)   

Program Director, Artly World Nonprofit 

Carl Vermilyea  MM, Ethnomusicology (2011)   

Adjunct Professor, Tallahassee State College 

Jeff Hodges  MM, Ethnomusicology (2010)   

Director of Bands, Avery County Schools 

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