John Paul Ito

John Paul Ito is an Associate Professor of Music Theory and Director of Academic Studies at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music. He holds a PhD in Music Theory from Columbia University, an MM in Viola Performance from Boston University, and an SB in Music from MIT.

Research Interests: Ito's work focuses on meter/hypermeter, cognition, performance practice, and their connections to human movement science. His interdisciplinary approach integrates cognitive linguistics, theology, and empirical methods. Notable contributions include Focal Impulse Theory (Indiana University Press, 2021), which explores bodily expression in music.

Awards: Recipient of the Mrs. H. K. Babcock Award for service during his tenure at Lawrence University. His research has been presented at venues like the Society for Music Theory, European Music Analysis Conference, and International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition.

Teaching & Outreach: Develops initiatives on wellness in music education, including the Healthy Balance Statement and Wellness Wednesday videos. Active in music cognition research with collaborations in kinesiology and motor learning.

Publications: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles across journals like Journal of Music Theory, Music Perception, and College Music Symposium, alongside edited volumes and book reviews.