Christopher Reali

Christopher Reali is an Associate Professor of Music (Music Industry) at Ramapo College of New Jersey's School of Contemporary Arts, joining in 2017. His work bridges popular music studies and music industry analysis, with a focus on regional cultural hubs like Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

• Ph.D. in Musicology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• M.A. in Musicology, Hunter College, CUNY
• M.S. in Music Education K-12, Aaron Copland School of Music, CUNY
• B.A. with Honors, Gallatin Division, New York University

Reali's research examines local music scenes and their national impact, particularly through integrative frameworks combining musicology, ethnomusicology, sociology, and African-American studies. His 2022 monograph Music and Mystique in Muscle Shoals redefines the cultural legacy of this iconic recording community. His publications span journals like MEIEA Journal, Rock Music Studies, and Southern Cultures, while his conference presentations engage institutions such as the American Musicological Society and Society for American Music.

As a practitioner, Reali brings hands-on experience from touring as a guitar technician and tour manager for artists like Chris Whitley and David Gray, enriching his teaching of courses such as History of Rock 'n' Roll, Advanced Business of Music, and Marketing and Management in the Music Industry. His scholarly work has been recognized with research grants from the Rock and Popular Music Institute and fellowships at the Library of Congress and the University of Alabama.

• Research Fellowship, Center for Popular Music Studies, Case Western University
• Dissertation Completion Fellowship, UNC Chapel Hill
• Lucas Miller Glass Summer Research Fellowship, UNC Chapel Hill
• James W. Pruett Summer Research Fellowships, Library of Congress