Sarah Weiss

Sarah Weiss is a University Professor at the Institute for Ethnomusicology at Graz University of Music and Performing Arts (KUG). She holds an MA and PhD in Music (Ethnomusicology) from New York University and a BA from the University of Rochester/Eastman School of Music, with a Habilitation from KUG. Her academic career includes roles as Associate Professor and Rector at Yale-NUS College (2013–2018). She has taught at Yale, Harvard, and other institutions globally.

• Education:
  • BA: University of Rochester/Eastman School of Music
  • MA & PhD: New York University (Ethnomusicology)
  • Habilitation: KunstUniversität Graz (KUG)

Research Interests: Weiss specializes in Southeast Asian cultures, gender studies, postcoloniality, and hybridity. Her work bridges ethnomusicology with gender and religious studies, focusing on women’s performance practices and Javanese musical aesthetics. She has authored monographs like *Ritual Soundings* (2019) and *Listening to an Earlier Java* (2007), exploring themes of agency, cultural hybridity, and ritual performance.

Performance Engagement: She directs the Javanese ensemble Nyai Rara Saraswati and performs in Korean and Balinese ensembles. Her research often integrates hands-on musical practice with scholarly analysis.

Teaching & Advising: Weiss supervises PhD and MA students in ethnomusicology, emphasizing student-driven exploration. Notable advisees include Dora Dunatov, Rachel Ong Shu Ying, and Talieh Wartner-Attarzadeh. She teaches courses on Southeast Asian epics, hybrid performance, and music in urban contexts.

Labs/Teams: Leads the KUG’s Gamelan Nyai Rara Saraswati, fostering interdisciplinary performance and research. Collaborates with scholars like Kendra Stepputat on Indonesian diaspora studies and Balinese music.