Cole Swanson recently completed a Ph.D. in Musicology at Duke University, where he specialized in film music, sound design, opera and philosophy. His dissertation, Material Ends: Hauntology, Anachrony, and Traces of the Analog in Digital Cinema, explores how contemporary filmmakers and composers utilize apparent contradictions between digital and analog sound to enrich narratives, engage in meaningful historical critiques, and even bend the rules of time and space.

A commitment to translating music history into the classroom drives Swanson’s work as an educator. He currently serves as a Lecturer in Musicology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where he teaches American music and the history of Western music. His passion for intellectual exploration stems from the inspiring and empowering music educators who shaped his own journey, from his first piano teacher to his graduate advisors. Swanson strives to follow in their footsteps by transforming scholarly expertise into pedagogy that fosters courageous, empathetic and intellectually curious students.

As a pianist, vocalist, and percussionist, Swanson has performed a broad repertoire of music across the United States with theater companies and choirs at every level. Prior to coming to USC, he served as Assistant Music Director for the Durham Savoyards (Durham, NC) and Assistant Music Director for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Music Theater program. In addition, he works as a freelance collaborative pianist and vocal coach with soloists and ensembles.

Swanson holds an M.A. in Historical Musicology from Tufts University (Somerville, MA) and a B.A. in Music from St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN). Outside of research, writing, teaching, and rehearsals, he enjoys cooking vegetarian cuisine, exploring local bookstores in search of spy novels, hiking in Eno River State Park, following the San Antonio Spurs and spending time with his family.