News

Dr. Bradley Hanson appointed as Tennessee’s new state folklorist and director of its Folklife Program

Anne PopeGREETINGS FROM ANNE B. POPE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I am so pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Bradley Hanson as Tennessee’s new state folklorist and director of its Folklife Program.

Dr. Hanson, of Clinton, TN is an ethnomusicologist with wide expertise in folklife and a unique depth of experience and knowledge of Tennessee’s musical heritage. We were impressed with the quality of his work in Tennessee communities and with Tennessee tradition-bearers. His past work has garnered grants from the Library of Congress and National Endowment for the Arts and his first book is in process of publication through the University of Illinois Press.

Bradley’s recommendations were off the charts and his writing sample was outstanding and directly relevant to the TN Arts program. The selection process was competitive and rigorous and included interviews with a panel of Tennessee folklife experts.

Bradley holds a BM in voice from the University of South Dakota, a MM in voice and MA in music history of literature from the University of Missouri Kansas City, a MM in ethnomusicology from Brown University and a PhD in ethnomusicology from Brown University.

Additionally, I am pleased to welcome back Grace Robinson, one of two interns to join our team for the Spring semester. Grace Robinson is a senior at MTSU and has been working with us since last May. She is a public relations major and has contributed extensively to our communications. Grace will most likely be found posting and tweeting on our behalf.

Camille Greer is joining us for the first time and is a senior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in human and organizational development with a minor in music. For her internship coursework, she will analyze how the Tennessee Arts Commission operates to create a one-of-a-kind senior project identifying new best practices for us to implement. Camille will also be helping us develop your stories so we can continue to cultivate the arts in Tennessee.

Please join me in welcoming Bradley, Grace and Camille.