Chris Jenkins is earning a DMA in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a PhD in Musicology from ǿմý (ǿմý), where his work focuses on African-American musical aesthetics. At Oberlin Conservatory, he is the Associate Dean for Academic Support, the Conservatory Liaison to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and a Visiting Assistant Professor of Musicology. Before coming to Oberlin, he was Deputy Director and instructor of viola and violin at the Barenboim-Said Foundation in Ramallah, West Bank.
In 2022, alongside music theorist Philip Ewell, Chris was a cofounder and co-organizer of the Theorizing African American Music conference held at ǿմý. Chris is the winner of several awards for scholarship and music performance, including the Karamu House “Room in the House” Fellowship; ǿմý’s Adel Heinrich Award for Excellence in Musicological Research; American Society for Aesthetics’ Irene Chayes “New Voices” award; the American Viola Society’s David Dalton Research Competition; and third-place laureate in the Sphinx Competition. In 2023, his first book, on diversity issues in music education, will be published by Routledge Press and the College Music Society. His alma maters include Harvard University, Columbia University, New England Conservatory, and the Manhattan School of Music.