I am Emily Milius. I am currently a Visiting Assistant Professor in Music Theory at University of North Carolina - Greensboro. I am also completing my PhD at the University of Oregon. In my dissertation, I examine intersections of voice and trauma in popular music. More specifically, I analyze songs by women that are about sexual assault and show how vocal timbre conveys their experience of trauma. I am also a graduate teaching employee at UO in the music theory department and have designed and taught two upper-level undergraduate analysis courses. In Spring 2022, I was the sole instructor for my class on the analysis of vocal timbre in popular music and I am currently teaching my text and music analysis course. Additionally, I have assisted with first-year Theory and Aural Skills classes.

Prior to my PhD studies, I worked on the faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas for three years. At SFA, I was a part of the Music Theory Faculty, and taught core Aural Skills and Theory to undergraduate music majors. I also had the joy of co-teaching a graduate seminar on Women in Music. I gained experience with distance learning via video teaching, hybrid/online classes, and dual credit classes.

I have a Master’s in Music Theory, through which I also worked as a Graduate Assistant, grading papers and teaching Aural Skills as sole instructor. Music Theory allows me to perform my other passion, knowledge and analysis. I love to learn and break things down, finding a greater meaning for it all, and I love to write. Music Theory not only allows me to be the gigantic dork that I am, but it also gives me a better template for performance. Finding this discipline in my studies changed the way I look at music.

I also earned a Bachelor's in Vocal Performance, enjoying Anna Moffo, Diana Damrau, Renee Fleming, and Maria Callas as inspirations. I enjoy singing genres outside of the classical voice, specifically jazz and R&B. Some of my main influences are Ella Fitzgerald, Beyoncé, Sara Bareilles, and Hayley Williams. Growing up, I knew the second I realized that I could sing, that it was what I needed to do. Being classically trained really opened my eyes about singing. Before college, I had never sung classically (or, if I can be quite frank, been interested in singing classically). This important technique of the voice has opened my eyes to so much outside of the world I used to know. Music of this genre has touched me in a way I never thought possible, and I love to sing opera and classical art songs. Some of my favorite composers include Debussy, Schoenberg, and Libby Larsen.

Outside of music, I do a lot of research in psychology (specifically in trauma and other mental health disorders—like Borderline Personality Disorder), feminist studies, race studies, sexuality studies, and pedagogy. I really enjoy bringing all of these ideas from outside of music studies into my music analysis and research, as well. Interdisciplinary research is very fulfilling to me, especially with topics that are very personal to me.

Also outside of music, I love visual art. Visual art in all forms can be fascinating, but I specifically love calligraphy, which my grandfather helped me study when I was younger, and I LOVE tattoos. Growing up in a conservative household, I was not allowed to admit this love until my adulthood, and it was such a relief. Tattoos can tell such a beautiful life story, and can be so amazingly exquisite and artistic.

Right now, I live in Greensboro, North Carolina with my sweet kitty, Forte.