Music Mentors

Penn State University (BM Violin Performance, BA Russian, MA Musicology)

I like to write jokes and not perform them

My mentor/advisor at Penn State really encouraged me and helped set me on my path in musicology. My fellow grad students and profs at Princeton continue to motivate me with their own fascinating projects and friendly encouragement.

AB Harvard College, Molecular & Cellular Biology major, Music minor; MA Durham University, Music (focus on organ performance and musicology)

I'm a third-year PhD candidate in the Music Cognition Lab here at Princeton. During my four years in between graduating from undergrad and starting the PhD, I did a Master's in Music abroad and then worked as a computational biologist in biomedical research. In my free time I love to play the organ, collect vinyl, cook, walk, write letters to penpals, and pet every dog (especially dachshunds).

I have benefitted from both formal and informal mentorship at different stages of my career. I find it helpful to talk through big decisions and receive advice from someone who has already had experiences similar to my own.

B.M. in Viola Performance and Music Composition — Western Michigan University, M.A. in Music Composition — Western Michigan University

I’m a violist who has only ever played viola — a purebred if you will 🙂

In my undergrad, there was a similar music mentoring program specifically for music theory and aural skills! I was a mentee my first two years, and then became a mentor in my 4th year. I was also apart of the MLK Jr. Student Scholars Academy throughout my undergrad and was paired with a mentor that met with me frequently to help with the transition to upper education all the way through discussing graduate applications.

Acadia University (BMus), Cambridge University (MPhil)

From Canada, lived in the UK for two years before starting PhD, love being outdoors as much as possible.

Mentors have given me the confidence and support to grow and reach my artistic goals.

UCBerkeley - Physics and Music (undergrad)
Peabody Institute - Composition (master's)

I studied physics in undergrad and did several years of labwork!
I grew up in China, but was born in the States.
Pianist

Yes! There were a few older undergrads while I was a freshman/sophomore who were helpful to me as I began to try to compose, and there was a graduate student at Berkeley who also gave me helpful pointers as I considered a future in music.

B.A. Music, Yale University; M.M. Musicology, Northwestern University

Prior to studying at Princeton, I worked at the Yale School of Music. My research interests include Russian ballet, country/roots music, and music in higher education. I have been a foster parent of teenagers, and I am particularly interested in supporting young adults through periods of transition.

Other affiliations:
Chamber Choir, Early Music Princeton

As a young professional in administration, I benefited substantially from mentorship by my supervisor. Not only did he guide me through complex professional situations, he also empowered me to identify my values, develop my skills and interests, and cast a vision for my future career. He inspires my own dedication to supporting emerging leaders, especially young adults from underrepresented backgrounds.

Manhattan School of Music - Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Professional Studies in Piano Performance
Queens College, City University of New York - Master of Arts in Musicology

Took 4 years off in between degrees. I love frogs and cucumbers. I have a 13-year-old tortoiseshell cat named Lupin. (After the infamous French gentleman thief, of course.)

Other affiliations:
The Writing Center!

Back when I had no idea what musicology was, I learnt a great deal from grad students whilst I was in between degrees. I wouldn't have known where to start without them.

Undergrad- University of Michigan and MSc- Goldsmiths, University of London

I am a black woman. I was a dual degree student in undergrad (Cello Performance and Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience). I did a masters in the UK right out of undergrad and then immediately came to Princeton to start my PhD. My hobbies include traveling, learning to bake or cook something new, and volunteering usually with my cello. My research interests this far are generally around Music and memory, medicine, therapy, health and well-being.

Other affiliations:
Trenton Arts at Princeton

I have benefited from mentorship my whole life as I have always sought out a mentor in every activity or stage in my life. Whether it was older kids in my youth orchestra, music teachers in my high school, seniors and grad students in my cello studio, grad students in my lab (in undergrad and grad school),or professors in multiple disciplines. I really value the perspective and experience of those that came before me, because I don’t like to make assumptions about my positioning in an institution or organization. Having mentors has always reminded me to remain open minded and acknowledge that there is always room for personal growth! For every struggle or success, I have had a mentor to work with, because each experience I have had is not all that unique. It is not my job to reinvent the wheel, but rather to be the best that I can be. This is what mentorship can often support.

Juilliard undergrad, composition, Juilliard masters, composition

I'm from Pittsburgh, and I play the violin and the mandolin! I love working with dancers and writing music collaboratively. Currently, I'm learning German (an ongoing process of many years).

Working with mentors has helped me both artistically and administratively. Mentors in music have taught me about what it is like to work in music outside of school. Additionally, mentors in dance and drama have also taken me to performances of dance and theater that I would not have known about otherwise that have definitely shaped my music since!

University of Southern California: Classics, Neuroscience (BA), Vocal Music Performance (Minor)

1) I worked for two years as a teacher, tutor, and curriculum developer for secondary school students; 2) I tend to favor face-to-face meetings or phone calls over messages -- please know that I haven't ghosted you if I haven't responded to your texts or emails

Other affiliations:
Glee Club, Chapel Choir, EMP Vocal Consort

The thing I am most grateful to my mentors for is that they gave me the push needed to pursue the work that I am most deeply passionate about. While I have learned things at every step of my academic journey and time spent working, my mentors encouraged me to step beyond my professional comfort zone and pursue opportunities that I otherwise did not feel confident enough to explore.

Princeton University, Neuroscience with certificates in Vocal Consort Singing and Cognitive Science

I love choral singing and being in the outdoors (especially with my golden retriever, Obi) 🙂

Other affiliations:
Program in Cognitive Science

The post-doc I worked with on my senior thesis was an incredible mentor who taught me a lot about how to conduct research and navigate the grad school application process. I also valued my informal peer mentors from my extra-curriculars and department who offered advice on managing stress and finding balance as a Princeton undergrad.

The New School, Jazz Performance

Lots of experience working in non-academic contexts, many years of experience being a professional musician based in NYC.

Mentors have providing me with necessary encouragement during hard times and have asked me important questions that have greatly assisted me in reflecting on my priorities in life, keeping me on a sincere path.

USC Thornton School of Music BM in Music Composition

I create music in a few different ways--specifically notated scores, graphic notation and structured improvisation, and directly into Ableton. I also love to make physical objects with my hands (primarily ceramics and jewelry) and have recently gotten into instrument building. When not making music and art, I love to swim in the ocean and cuddle my three absurdly affectionate cats.

Other affiliations:
Keller Center Makerspace

I had a few informal mentor/friends who were getting their Masters or DMAs while I was getting my undergrad, and their support and advice was endlessly helpful and encouraging. Wouldn't be who and where I am today without them!

University of Texas at Austin, B.A. in Music and B.A. in Linguistics

I entered graduate studies directly after my undergraduate degrees and learned so much in the transition from undergrad at a massive public institution to graduate studies at a much smaller private university. In my non-school life, I love to read (for fun) and walk my adopted dog Kida. I also love to make small crocheted creations (like pumpkins, sunflower coasters, or macarons) and you'll probably be able to spot some around Woolworth or the music library if you take a look 🙂

Other affiliations:
ReMatch, McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning Graduate Peer Coach

I can confidently say I never would've even considered graduate school if it weren't for graduate student and professor mentors during my time in undergrad. Their support in exploring my passions, interests, and how to pursue them post-undergrad were fundamental and I'm passionate about aiding others in their own explorations. During my graduate studies, informal and formal mentors have been instrumental to help me continue learning about my passions and interests, within music and beyond.

Undergrad at UC Santa Cruz, music major; Masters at Yale School of Music, guitar performance

I am a guitarist and composer interested in creative music of all types. I grew up on the West Coast, moved out East for grad school, and then spent 12 years gigging in New York before returning to academics to pursue my PhD. I play in several fun and weird bands and I enjoy writing music collaboratively.

I owe a great deal to a community of friends, teachers, and colleagues with whom I have grown as musician and as a person. I think everyone is ultimately on the same team, working together to advance our art and our careers.

tate University of São Paulo, Major in Composition, Federal University of Rio, Masters in Music

While my main thing is music theory and cognition, I have a lot of experience as a gigging musician and private music teacher. I also compose and arrange occasionally. I love partner dancing and have played at partner dancing events. I'm big on activism and politics, actively participating in campaigns on campus such as Divest Princeton and PGSU. I also love jamming with friends and biking 🙂

Other affiliations:
Guitarist, Community College Teaching Fellowship, Brazil Lab, Divest Princeton, PGSU, Pardon my French

Very much so. I had many mentors throughout my academic journey. To name a few: a PhD student in my research group during my masters was an extremely attentive and thoughtful mentor, and a former high school colleague who did a masters before me mentored me throughout my masters application process. A couple of American friends that I met in Brazil were instrumental in helping apply to PhD in the US. My peers during my PhD here in Princeton have also been amazing mentors, helping me navigate the US academic scene, which was largely unfamiliar to me.

BMus, McGill University, 2018 (majors in music history and Russian); MPhil, University of Cambridge, 2020 (music); MPhil, University of Cambridge, 2021 (comparative literature, Slavonic studies)

I lived in Belarus and Russia after my undergrad, I love sports (particularly tennis, hockey and soccer), learning languages, reading, and playing guitar. I also have a cat named after Tchaikovsky!

I was very lucky to have amazing graduate students as mentors during my undergrad, some of whom are still my friends to this day and continue to help me with my career. Professors have also been helpful mentors, but I have found that my relationships with more experienced students have been the ones that have helped me most, and those are the people I still turn to today when I need advice. I hope to become such a mentor for some of you!

BA in English and Music History from the University of King's College Halifax, MA in Musicology from the University of Toronto

I love early music and old books!

Other affiliations:
Early Music Princeton, Prison Teaching Initiative, Princeton Bibliophile Society

Mentors have helped me understand the many options available to me and guided me through institutional practices.

Bachelors of Music at Ithaca College studying Performance (Double Bass) and Sound Recording Technology; Masters of Arts at Stanford University studying Music, Science, and Technology

I have experience studying music from both a performance perspective and an academic one (and experience with transitioning between the two and maintaining a balance of both). I also love sci fi/space, sewing/crafting, and my dog Quasar.

Member of PUO and Sinfonia, affiliated with Program in Cognitive Science and the Center for Digital Humanities

Throughout my academic career, I had amazing mentors that helped me navigate all kinds of decisions, such as changing majors (twice!) and applying to grad school (also twice...). I think it's so important to have people who are invested in learning about your goals and helping you achieve them, or sometimes even helping you think through what your goals are in the first place.