Dr. Lindsay Wright

Biography

Lindsay J. Wright is a music historian and ethnographer with a focus on the interconnection of musical performance and pedagogical practices within the context of racialized systems of privilege in the United States. Her research spans topics from the 19th and 20th centuries, including the analysis of the musician Thomas 'Blind Tom' Wiggins, the impact of televised talent shows, and contemporary violin pedagogies. Wright's recent publications include articles in notable journals such as Nineteenth Century Music, Ethnomusicology, and the Journal of the Society for American Music. She is currently developing a book manuscript titled 'Talent Show: Musicality, Meritocracy, Aesthetics of Exclusion,' which explores the evolving beliefs surrounding innate musicality in the American Dream, as represented through talent show formats from 19th-century amateur nights to contemporary reality television. Additionally, Wright's ongoing projects critically examine the intersections of race, class, and talent in American classical music education through the lens of the Suzuki Method. She earned her PhD from the University of Chicago and holds degrees in Multicultural Education and African American studies and music from Eastern University and Wesleyan University, respectively.

Research Interests

Experience