Tad is a Ph.D. Candidate in Musicology and Lynne Cooper Harvey Fellow in American Culture Studies at Washington University in St. Louis.
Broadly speaking, Tad is interested in classical and popular music in the United States. His dissertation focuses on the life and music of Julia Perry (1924–1979), with a particular focus on the development of her musical style across the post-war period, the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, and ultimately toward a postmodern aesthetic. His research blends archival research, music analysis, reception studies, and broader theoretical and historical paradigms including Afro-Modernism, Afrofuturism, and feminist theory. Prior to attending WashU, Tad completed his Master of Music degree at the University of Arizona, where he was selected as the distinguished master’s candidate. His master’s thesis is titled “Julia Perry’s Stabat Mater, Black Cultural History, and the Lynching of Christ.”
As an educator, Tad is passionate about fostering critical analytic skills in his students, diversifying music curricula, and expanding opportunities for high-quality, humanistic approaches to the study of music.
Papers Presented
“A ‘Metabolic, Sociological’ Reading of Julia Perry’s Stabat Mater” Invited speaker at the Julia Perry Centenary Celebration & Festival, New York City, NY, 2024.
“‘The Fat Man’s dance was not only beautiful and exhilarating; it was glorious’: Music, Dance, and Humor in the Fat Men’s Association of New York City" Popular Culture Association, San Antonio, TX, 2023.
“Julia Perry’s Stabat Mater and the Lynching of Christ” Society for American Music, Tucson, AZ, 2022.
“‘Mi Bandera es Negra’: Articulating a Radical Politic for Guatemala Through Hip Hop” Society for Ethnomusicology, Bloomington, IN, 2019.
