The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance announces that Bryan Parkhurst will join the Department of Music Theory as an assistant professor this fall. Parkhurst (MA ’12, PhD ’14) is a music theorist and philosopher.
Parkhurst has served on the faculty of Oberlin College, where he received the college’s annual Excellence in Teaching Award in 2022, the University of South Florida, and Columbia University. His teaching background includes courses in both music theory and philosophy. In 2022, he served as the Grace Nelson Visiting Professor of Philosophy at the University of Michigan.
“I’m pumped to be returning to my home state and to my alma mater,” said Parkhurst. “It will be an honor to work with the brilliant faculty and students in the department where I received my training back in the day.”
Parkhurst has published extensively on the history of philosophy and the history of music theory and has won multiple publication awards from the Society for Music Theory, including the 2018 Emerging Scholar Award. He is currently associate editor of Music Theory Spectrum and formerly reviews editor of Music Theory Online.
He studied harp performance with Paula Page at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and with Joan Holland at the Interlochen Arts Academy. As a child he was one of the last protégés of iconic harp pedagogue Alice Chalifoux, the first woman in the Cleveland Orchestra.
“With dual PhDs in music theory and philosophy, Bryan Parkhurst brings an exceptional range of interdisciplinary expertise,” said René Rusch, associate professor and chair of the Department of Music Theory. “His award-winning teaching and scholarship, alongside his experience as a professional harpist, will enrich our community and curriculum.”
Parkhurst earned dual MA and PhD degrees in music theory and philosophy from the University of Michigan and a BM from Rice University.