Dr. Marcia Ostashewski

Biography

Marcia Ostashewski is an Adjunct Professor of Ethnomusicology in the Department of Music at the University of Alberta. She has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Alberta and a PhD from York University, completed in 2009. Ostashewski's research focuses on creative cultural expression among communities in Canada and internationally, particularly with Eastern and Central European populations, Indigenous groups, at-risk youth, and newcomers to Canada. As a Canada Research Chair, she is committed to connecting diverse communities through music and dance. Her collaborative projects span numerous sectors, combining expertise from academics to lay people, and addressing pressing social issues through digital media. She teaches various courses covering music, dance, Indigenous and immigrant communities, gender performance, and cultural tourism. Ostashewski heads the Centre for Sound Communities at Cape Breton University, which is dedicated to critical exploration in music, dance, and multimedia. Her work has received significant funding from national and provincial sponsors, and she has extensive experience in post-secondary education and program development. Marcia Ostashewski has also served as Executive Director for a national charity and frequently speaks at both academic and public colloquiums.

Research Interests