Samuel J. Breene

Samuel J. Breene is a Professor in the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance at Rhode Island College, specializing in Baroque and Classical performance practice as a music historian and violinist. His scholarship examines Mozart's chamber music through Enlightenment cultural lenses, while also exploring American string band traditions and intersections of music with scientific thought. He founded RIC's Early Music Ensemble in 2010 and teaches core music history courses alongside interdisciplinary General Education and Honors seminars.

His academic preparation includes:

• Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, B.M. in Music History and Violin Performance
• Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany, Advanced Performance Studies
• Duke University, A.M. in Performance Practice (baroque violin)
• Duke University, Ph.D. in Musicology

Professor Breene's research bridges historical performance practice with cultural studies, emphasizing how scientific paradigms and Enlightenment philosophies shaped musical expression. His work consistently connects archival research with practical performance insights, particularly in 18th-century repertoire.

His publications and presentations reveal deep engagement with Baroque/Classical eras through interdisciplinary frameworks, merging musicology with history of science and cultural theory. This approach yields innovative perspectives on embodiment, aesthetics, and cross-disciplinary knowledge transfer in historical musical contexts.

His scholarly contributions have been recognized through:

• Javits Fellowship
• Mellon Fellowship
• NEH Fellowship

As an educator, he mentors through chamber music coaching and directs RIC's Early Music Ensemble, which serves as both pedagogical laboratory and community resource. His fellowship awards directly supported archival research, public lectures at venues like Lincoln Center, and symposium presentations on global music history. Performance activities with professional ensembles extend his academic work into public engagement.

He actively participates in three performance collectives: the Hope Collective for Early Music (RIC faculty ensemble providing outreach), Providence Baroque Chamber Orchestra (Museum Concerts of Rhode Island resident ensemble), and Musicke's Cordes (Early Music Missouri resident ensemble), maintaining strong connections between scholarly research and historical performance practice.