Samuel Gardner

  • Assistant Professor of Music Theory

Areas of Study

Biography

Samuel Gardner studies music cognition and music theory. His work takes a special emphasis on how gesture facilitates and embodies our musical understanding, with a specific focus on modern popular music. His recent article “Gestural Perspectives on Popular-Music Performance” appears in Music Theory Online, and he has presented his research throughout Europe and North America. 

He completed his Ph.D. at The Ohio State University under Daniel Shanahan, where he was awarded both the “Helmholtz Award in Music Cognition” and “Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate in Music Theory.”

Fall 2024

Aural Skills I — MUTH 101

Music Theory I — MUTH 131

Spring 2025

Aural Skills II — MUTH 102

Music Theory II — MUTH 132

News

The Meaning Behind the Motions

March 21, 2025

What makes a live performance unforgettable? Assistant Professor of Music Theory Samuel Gardner has uncovered compelling evidence that physical gestures—ranging from subtle, unconscious movements to lively, intentional displays—are central to understanding how both performers and audiences connect with sound.

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