Ron Pen, Music

Associate Professor of Musicology

Director, John Jacob Niles Center for American Music

Coordinator, Division of Musicology and Ethnomusicology

Degrees:
PhD University of Kentucky 1987
MA Tulane University 1982
BA Washington and Lee University 1973

Research Areas:
American music, Appalachian region

At UK since: 1991

Phone number: 859-257-8183
Email: rapen01@uky.edu

John Jacob Niles Center for American Music

Ron Pen received his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky in 1987, with a dissertation on the biography and works of the American balladeer and composer, John Jacob Niles. He has continued his research in the area of American vernacular music with an emphasis on the music and culture of the Southern Appalachian region. Publications include book reviews, articles, forewords, book chapters, encyclopedia entries, and documentary films focusing on topics such as shape note hymnody, early folk music collections, fiddle tunes, and traditional, country, and bluegrass musical styles.

Ron was elected to the board of the Society for American Music and served as both Program Chair (Madison, WI) and Local Arrangements Chair (Lexington, KY) for annual conferences. In addition, he currently serves as the book review editor for the journal American Music.

Currently, Ron is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky where he also serves as Director of the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music. His ongoing scholarship includes completion of a book on John Jacob Niles for the University Press of Kentucky, and research on the history of old time music and early folk music collections. Pen is also the recipient of both the University of Kentucky Great Teacher Award and the Provost's Award for Excellence in Teaching.