Udo Will

Udo Will is a Professor of Ethnomusicology at the School of Music, Ohio State University, supported by an Academic Enrichment Award. His roles include being president of the European Seminar in Ethnomusicology and serving on the editorial board of the British Journal for Ethnomusicology. He previously held teaching positions at the University of Bielefeld (Music/Sociology) and the University of New England, Australia.

Dr. Will’s research focuses on cognitive ethnomusicology, rhythm perception, cultural studies of music, and the intersection of neuroscience with musical practices. Key themes include rhythmic entrainment, cross-cultural musical analysis, and the evolutionary history of vocal/instrumental music. His work bridges disciplines through EEG methodologies, linguistic studies, and comparative cultural frameworks.

His articles (2018–1997) explore topics like rhythmic memory mechanisms, neural synchronization to music, and cultural influences on musical perception. Notable works include studies on North Indian alap improvisation, Australian Aboriginal pitch systems, and tonal language processing.

Awards include the Academic Enrichment Award (School of Music). His contributions span theoretical frameworks in cognitive ethnomusicology and applied research in music neurocognition.