Dr. James Sullivan

Biography

James Sullivan is an Associate Professor of Music Theory at Michigan State University, where he teaches undergraduate courses in music theory and aural skills, as well as graduate courses focused on rhythm, meter, and post-tonal music. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the interconnections between analysis, performance, and listening, aiming to develop robust skills in these areas. Sullivan's research interests primarily revolve around rhythm and meter in 20th- and 21st-century music, along with issues related to analysis, perception, and performance. His scholarly publications can be found in prestigious journals such as Music Theory Spectrum, Music Theory Online, and Music & Letters. Noteworthy among his contributions is the book "Twentieth- Twenty-First-Century Song Cycles: Analytical Pathways Performance," published by Routledge in 2021. He actively participates in professional discourse by regularly presenting papers at the Society for Music Theory and Music Theory Midwest. Sullivan holds a Ph.D. in music theory and a D.M.A. in double bass performance from the Eastman School of Music, along with an M.M. in double bass performance and a B.S. in mathematics from Indiana University. Prior to joining the faculty at MSU, he taught music theory and double bass at the University of Evansville.

Research Interests