Dolores Hsu

Dolores Hsu was a distinguished academic at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), holding dual roles as Professor Emeritus and Research Professor in the Ethnomusicology Program within the Department of Music. She served as Chair of the Music Department for 12 years and later as Associate Dean of the College of Letters and Science. Her legacy includes pioneering the UCSB Ethnomusicology Program and establishing the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Program in 19th-century music history.

Education & Early Career: Born in 1930 in Portland, Oregon, she earned a PhD in Music History from the University of Southern California. A Fulbright Scholar (first woman from Oregon), she studied in Austria and Germany, later curating the Henry Eichheim Collection of Musical Instruments, which became foundational to UCSB's ethnomusicology program.

Research & Community Impact: Her work focused on global musical instruments, cultural musicology, and East Asian music studies. Beyond academia, she championed community arts, bringing world-class orchestras to Santa Barbara and serving as president of the Community Arts and Music Association (CAMA).

Legacy: Known as the "Dragon Lady" for her candor and rigor, she mentored hundreds of students and faculty. Her leadership and curatorial efforts ensure the preservation of musical heritage. She passed away in 2019, celebrated for her academic contributions and community dedication.