Kristen Graves is assistant professor of ethnomusicology in the Glenn Korff School of Music. She is an ethnomusicologist interested in how cultural and environmental factors shape listening and sound-making practices.

She holds degrees from New York University and St. Olaf College and conducted her doctoral studies at the University of Toronto. Graves comes to Nebraska after six years at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, where she taught courses on world music, Latin American music and sound and the environment.

Her current research examines the 42-year labor history of a workers’ union in the garbage dump of Oaxaca, Mexico, highlighting the community’s remarkable sonic knowledge. Her past research explores listening and waste, as well as community songwriting.

Additionally, Graves is a touring singer-songwriter, having performed with folk icons like Pete Seeger, Harry Belafonte and Peter Yarrow, and she has released nine studio projects. She also remains actively involved with Simply Smiles, an organization supporting Indigenous children and families.