Kathryn Metz

Kathryn Metz (she/her) is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Musical Studies at Oberlin College within the College of Arts and Sciences. She concurrently serves as the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Administrative Coordinator. Her academic career includes roles as Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology at Oberlin Conservatory (2017-2021), Humanities Department Chair at Hawken Upper School (2021-2022), and Manager of Community and Family Programs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2008-2017).

Metz holds a Ph.D. and M.M. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Texas at Austin (2010) and a B.M. in Ethnomusicology from Bowling Green State University (2001). Her research focuses on pop music pedagogy, music's role in social justice initiatives in Cleveland's arts communities, and education equity. She has pioneered methodologies integrating ethnomusicology with community engagement and K-12 curricula.

Her publications span ethnomusicological theory, popular music analysis, and music education. Notable works include contributions to Beyond The Field: Public Roles and Practices for Ethnomusicologists (2020) and We Didn’t Start the Fire: Billy Joel and Popular Music Studies (2020).

Metz teaches courses such as 'Music of the Americas' and 'Pop Music and Media,' emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. She actively collaborates with local arts organizations to bridge academic research with community practice.