Sean Smither
Music
Specialty
Theory
Teaches
College
Jazz
Extension
Jazz
About
Sean R. Smither received his PhD in music theory from Rutgers University and also holds an MA in music theory from Rutgers and a BFA in jazz drumming from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. His research focuses on the analysis of jazz standards, improvisation, and group interaction, and utilizes tools from linguistics, philosophy, and cognitive psychology to shed light on musical concerns. His research has been published in Music Theory Online, Jazz Perspectives, and Theory and Practice, and he continues to present his work at national and regional conferences throughout North America. A native of New Jersey, he has served on the faculty at Juilliard since 2018 teaching courses in jazz theory and analysis.