Dr. Nolan Warden

Biography

Nolan Warden is a lecturer at Purdue University in the College of Liberal Arts, specializing in Ethnomusicology. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, an M.A. in Musicology from Tufts University, and a Bachelor of Music in Hand Percussion Performance and Music Business from the Berklee College of Music. In his dual appointment within the Spanish and Music departments, Warden teaches courses including introductory Spanish, World Music, History & II, Music Appreciation, and Jazz History. He is currently developing a course focused on Music in Latin America. Previously, Warden has taught at various institutions including UCLA, Butler University, and Loyola Marymount University. His research primarily focuses on the ethnomusicological studies of Afro-diasporic and Indigenous musics in Latin America, specializing in Afro-Cuban ritual drumming and Wixárika (Huichol) popular music in Mexico. In addition to his academic work, Warden performs with the Latin music group Clave Caribe and has served as the Executive Director of the Indiana Fiddlers’ Gathering. He is also a founding member and co-director of Nuestra Escuelita, a local nonprofit Spanish school for Spanish-speaking children.

Research Interests