The MA/PhD in Ethnomusicology investigates music in cultural and social contexts. In preparing students for careers in studying global music communities, our program assists students in understanding music as social practice from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. Students are introduced to the intellectual history of the field and its paradigmatic shifts, and research methodology in preparation for ethnographic fieldwork. Our ethnomusicology program seeks to prepare students for careers in the academy, public sector, the music industry, and/or cultural heritage policy-making. We also offer seminars in select global music cultures as well as topics, which examine music as related to gender, politics, religion, economics, philosophy, aesthetics, and musical practice.
Ethnomusicology
Master of Arts / PhD
Global Music
Cultures
SUMMER DISPATCH | Isabelle Ragsac, (Piano Performance BM ‘27) writes: This summer, I had the privilege of attending the Chigiana Global Academy’s Piano Intensive program! I traveled to the beautiful Siena, Italy, participated in lessons and masterclasses with professors from around the world, and nurtured friendships and connections with fellow pianists and coordinators. I’ve left this experience feeling inspired by the music I’ve heard, lessons I’ve learned, and centuries of culture I’ve witnessed.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Isabelle Ragsac, (Piano Performance BM ‘27) writes: This summer, I had the privilege of attending the Chigiana Global Academy’s Piano Intensive program! I traveled to the beautiful Siena, Italy, participated in lessons and masterclasses with professors from around the world, and nurtured friendships and connections with fellow pianists and coordinators. I’ve left this experience feeling inspired by the music I’ve heard, lessons I’ve learned, and centuries of culture I’ve witnessed.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MATTHEW VEST! Our Music Inquiry & Research Librarian has been named UCLA`s 2026 Librarian of the Year by the Librarians Association of UCLA.
The award recognizes excellence in librarianship, celebrating creativity, innovation, leadership, courage, and a commitment to inclusivity. Since 1994, it has honored librarians whose work makes a lasting impact—and we`re proud to see Matthew recognized for his outstanding contributions.
Congratulations, Matthew!
CONGRATULATIONS TO MATTHEW VEST! Our Music Inquiry & Research Librarian has been named UCLA`s 2026 Librarian of the Year by the Librarians Association of UCLA.
The award recognizes excellence in librarianship, celebrating creativity, innovation, leadership, courage, and a commitment to inclusivity. Since 1994, it has honored librarians whose work makes a lasting impact—and we`re proud to see Matthew recognized for his outstanding contributions.
Congratulations, Matthew!
NEW RELEASE: Nick DePinna’s new work “Sentiments of JUSTICE, HUMANITY, COURAGE, and PEACE” takes its name from a 1775 essay printed in the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser. Focusing on the themes of justice and humanity, the piece draws notes from the classics of Americana that range across two centuries, from the acapella, colonial-era choral hymns to patriotic music of the nineteenth century. Learn more, link in bio.
NEW RELEASE: Nick DePinna’s new work “Sentiments of JUSTICE, HUMANITY, COURAGE, and PEACE” takes its name from a 1775 essay printed in the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser. Focusing on the themes of justice and humanity, the piece draws notes from the classics of Americana that range across two centuries, from the acapella, colonial-era choral hymns to patriotic music of the nineteenth century. Learn more, link in bio.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Candace Hansen, (Musicology PhD ‘26) writes: I’ve been gigging! Playing drums for Alice Bag Band on her final punk tour at home in LA and on tour in the Midwest and Pacific North West, presented “But I’m A Cheerleader” for Zebulon’s queer film fest, and published an article about the history of On Our Backs for Playgirl Magazine.
SUMMER DISPATCH | Candace Hansen, (Musicology PhD ‘26) writes: I’ve been gigging! Playing drums for Alice Bag Band on her final punk tour at home in LA and on tour in the Midwest and Pacific North West, presented “But I’m A Cheerleader” for Zebulon’s queer film fest, and published an article about the history of On Our Backs for Playgirl Magazine.
[ETHNOMUSICOLOGY HIGHLIGHT]
Next up on the feature is Music of Bali! Directed by I. Nyoman Wenten, the ensemble features gamelan music and dance. The Balinese gamelan gong kebyar is famous for its fast tempos, abrupt changes of texture, and brilliantly costumed dancers who act out stories from the Ramayana.
[ETHNOMUSICOLOGY HIGHLIGHT]
Next up on the feature is Music of Bali! Directed by I. Nyoman Wenten, the ensemble features gamelan music and dance. The Balinese gamelan gong kebyar is famous for its fast tempos, abrupt changes of texture, and brilliantly costumed dancers who act out stories from the Ramayana.
[ETHNOMUSICOLOGY HIGHLIGHT]
Next up, we have Music of Thailand! Directed by Supeena Adler, this ensemble showcases two musical traditions from distinct regions of Thailand: Central and Northeast. The ensemble also invited nine talented master dancers from the Los Angeles area on stage to embody the region’s diverse tribes.
[ETHNOMUSICOLOGY HIGHLIGHT]
Next up, we have Music of Thailand! Directed by Supeena Adler, this ensemble showcases two musical traditions from distinct regions of Thailand: Central and Northeast. The ensemble also invited nine talented master dancers from the Los Angeles area on stage to embody the region’s diverse tribes.
[ETHNOMUSICOLOGY HIGHLIGHT]
Did you know that we offer world music ensemble courses that are open to all UCLA students? In these ensembles, students engage with traditional vocal music, instrumental music, and dance, which culminate in an end-of-year concert. Here are some pictures from our Music of Java Ensemble, directed by Joko Sutrisno. The ensemble centers on the music of Central Javanese gamelan.
[ETHNOMUSICOLOGY HIGHLIGHT]
Did you know that we offer world music ensemble courses that are open to all UCLA students? In these ensembles, students engage with traditional vocal music, instrumental music, and dance, which culminate in an end-of-year concert. Here are some pictures from our Music of Java Ensemble, directed by Joko Sutrisno. The ensemble centers on the music of Central Javanese gamelan.
Our commencement speakers in action:
This year, we were honored to welcome @madamegandhi as our commencement speaker. Alongside her were student speakers Racquel Bernard and Aditi Sreenivas. Thank you to these three remarkable individuals for sharing their wisdom and hopes for the future with us!
Our commencement speakers in action:
This year, we were honored to welcome @madamegandhi as our commencement speaker. Alongside her were student speakers Racquel Bernard and Aditi Sreenivas. Thank you to these three remarkable individuals for sharing their wisdom and hopes for the future with us!
David Castañeda
“I enjoyed the connections that I made with my colleagues who have now become family, seeing my approach as a researcher develop substantially in such a short amount of time, and most of all the opportunity to grow as an instructor and educator.” – David Castañeda Ph.D. ’21 | Ethnomusicology
A stream of high-profile artists and scholars from around the world have energized and inspired our students, helping to transform their educational experience. Among them are J.H. Kwabena Nketia, considered Africa’s premier musicologist/ethnomusicologist; Akin Euba, a Nigerian composer, musicologist, and pianist; MacArthur Fellow Steven Feld, an American ethnomusicologist, anthropologist, and linguist, who worked for many years with the Kaluli people of Papua New Guinea; Judith Becker, professor emerita of ethnomusicology, University of Michigan; Mark Slobin, the author or editor of books on Afghanistan and Central Asia, eastern European Jewish music, film music, and ethnomusicology theory; Chano Dominguez, award-winning Spanish-born pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator, and Hossein Omoumi, a scholar and teacher of Persian traditional music, among others.
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