Dr. Timothy Coombes

Biography

Timothy Coombes is a Stipendiary Lecturer in Music at St Hugh’s College, University of Oxford. His research focuses on the role of music in cultural history, particularly during childhood in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century France. He explores philosophical and analytical questions surrounding dance, movement, and the body, engaging in interdisciplinary inquiries that bridge musicology and art history. At the undergraduate level, he teaches analysis and methodologies for various papers, including the 'Topics' courses on music from the nineteenth century to the present day. His published work includes significant articles in notable journals such as the Journal of the American Musicological Society and the Cambridge Opera Journal, addressing themes such as Symbolist childhood in relation to Debussy's works and the reception of fairy tales in music. His ongoing research interests include the embodiment of dance and nonhuman perspectives in musical culture, demonstrating a deep commitment to understanding the complex interrelations of music, history, and identity.

Research Interests