Daniel Cavicchi

Daniel Cavicchi is a Professor at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), specializing in American studies with a focus on music, fandom, and cultural history. He has held administrative roles including Provost, Vice Provost, and Dean of Liberal Arts. His research explores fan cultures, music history, and public humanities, with notable works like Listening and Longing and Tramps Like Us.

Education includes a BA from Cornell University, MAs from Brown University and SUNY Buffalo, and a PhD from Brown University. Cavicchi’s public humanities projects include the Witness Tree Project with the National Park Service and exhibits for the Grammy Museum. He co-founded the Pop Conference and edited Wesleyan University Press’ Music/Interview Series.

Research highlights include studies on audience iconography, cultural sustainability, and 19th-century enthusiasm. His articles address music fandom evolution, digital-age participation, and music’s role in military contexts. Awards include teaching excellence recognitions from Brown University (1996) and RISD (2004).

• Awards: 1996 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (Brown), 2004 John R. Frazier Award (RISD).
• Advising & Grants: Led RISD’s History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences department; contributed to K-12 music curricula for PBS and Experience Music Project.
• Labs/Teams: National Park Service collaborations, editorial roles in American Music and Participations Journal.