Dr. Judith Becker

Biography

Judith Becker received her PhD in music from the University of Michigan and is recognized as an authority on the music of Southeast Asia. She co-founded the Center for World Performance Studies at the University of Michigan, serving as its first director. Throughout her tenure at the University, she directed the University gamelan ensemble and was instrumental in establishing it in 1967. Becker has written numerous articles for prestigious publications including the Galpin Society Journal, Ethnomusicology, Journal of Music Theory, and the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Additionally, she has authored influential books such as 'Deep Listeners: Music, Emotion, Trancing' (2004), which won the Merriam Prize for the best book published in Ethnomusicology that year; 'Traditional Music of Modern Java' (1980); and 'Gamelan Stories: Tantrism, Islam, Aesthetics in Central Java' (1993). She also edited the significant work 'Art, Ritual, and Society in Indonesia' (1979) and a three-volume set of translations entitled 'Karawitan: Source Readings in Javanese Gamelan and Vocal Music' (1984/1987/1988), which are essential resources in the field. Becker's research has received support from various notable organizations including the Society for Ethnomusicology and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards