Dr. Galen DeGraf is a music theorist, composer, drummer, and organist based in New York. He received his Bachelor's degree Phi Beta Kappa from Wesleyan University in Middletown CT, where he received high honors in music for his thesis Situating Salsa through Tito Puente's Life and Music, as well as the Leavell Memorial Prize from the World Music Program. He received his M.A. and doctoral degrees in music theory from Columbia University. His dissertation Navigating Musical Periodicities: Modes of Perception and Types of Temporal Knowledge, sponsored by Joseph Dubiel, explores modes of temporal perception, embodied actions, and rhythmic pedagogy. As a music theorist, Galen's research focuses on rhythm and meter, embodiment, analysis of film music, and theory pedagogy. His work in theory pedagogy explores how animation and virtual orchestration software can enhance teaching.
Galen performed as a showband drummer for Carnival Cruise Lines and now serves as director of music and organist for Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Ridgewood, Queens.
B.A. with high honors in music, Wesleyan University, 2009
M.A. in music theory, Columbia University, 2012
M.Phil in music theory, Columbia University, 2014
Ph.D in music theory, Columbia University, 2018
