We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Zane Cupec as Visiting Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology. His research interests include new African musical diasporas, race and ethnicity, music and migration, music in religious experience, Caribbean and Latin American musics, transnationalism and transculturation and digital storytelling. He has presented and published widely, including the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, the College Music Society, the International Council for Traditional Music (Portugal), and the Society for Ethnomusicology National Conference. As a performing musician, he has directed Latin American music ensembles, Latin jazz ensembles, African music ensembles and has facilitated interactive and interdisciplinary guest residencies. In summer of 2023, Dr. Cupec participated as a presenter in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and published an interactive article on the Smithsonian Folkways website titled, “A Guided Listening Journey: Yorùbá Heritage Abroad.”

A newcomer to Iowa City, he is currently in search of the best pork tenderloin in the area (please reach out with leads) and, as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan in a previous life, looks forward to repurposing his black & gold as an emerging Hawkeye fan.