MTSMA 2027

Keynote Speaker and Workshop Leader:
Dr. Richard Desinord

Bio

Richard Desinord is a Provost’s Distinguished Faculty Fellow and Assistant Professor of Music at Georgetown University. His research focuses on harmonic practices in gospel and neo-soul, music theory pedagogy, and the visualization of theoretical concepts. Richard has presented at regional, national, and international conferences, and his scholarly work has appeared in the Cambridge Stravinsky Encyclopedia, Engaged Music Theory, Music Theory Spectrum, Modeling Musical Analysis (Oxford), and the forthcoming Modeling Popular Music Analysis (Oxford). He is presently at work on a couple of projects: the first is a monograph that examines how gospel harmony functions as a comprehensive network that structures worship tradition with idioms that serve as culturally embedded markers of rhetoric, embodiment, communal participation, and genre. In the second, he is co-editing a volume on the analysis of African American art songs. 

Richard’s personal and professional objectives are deeply grounded in advancing the accessibility and inclusivity of music theory for communities of color. He is also fervent supporter of Classical Black Podcast, which aligns with his commitment to equity and representation in the field. Prior to his appointment at Georgetown, he served as Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Michigan State University and a lecturer of music theory at Howard University. He holds a PhD in music theory from the Eastman School of Music, an MA in music theory from Penn State University, and a BM in music education from Howard University (magna cum laude).

Dr. Richard Desinord (Georgetown University) will give the keynote address, and will conduct a professional development workshop for graduate students and faculty. All conference attendees are encouraged to attend these events, and no application is necessary for workshop participation beyond conference registration.

Accommodations