Dr. Sonia Seeman

Biography

Sonia Tamar Seeman is an Associate Professor in Ethnomusicology at the Sarah Ernest Butler School of Music, University of Texas at Austin. She serves as the Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Arts Program and is the Fulbright Program Advisor Chair at the institution. Seeman's research interests include the study of music in the Middle East and Southeastern Europe, with a special focus on Romani musicians. Her field research has involved significant engagement with Romani communities in Macedonia and Turkey, exploring their roles as cultural minorities. She has published articles and co-produced works centered on Turkish Romani music, including a CD collaboration with Selim Sesler titled 'Roads Kesan.' Her monograph 'Sounding Roman: Representation Performing Identity in Western Turkey,' released by Oxford University Press in 2019, has received attention for its insights into cultural representation. Seeman has also been featured in Turkish news outlets and has conducted interviews with NPR. In addition to her research, she teaches various courses related to music and social identity, including topics such as gender, identity, and cultural representation in music. As the founder and director of the Middle Eastern Ensemble 'Bereket,' she brings together students and community members for performances and cultural studies related to diasporic music traditions. She is active in local cultural organizations and has been involved in educational initiatives in Pakistan since 2014.

Research Interests