Music isn’t just something we listen to -- it is a living record of cultural evolution. Dr. Ya-Hui Cheng, Associate Professor of Music Theory at the College of Design, Art & Performance’s School of Music at the University of South Florida, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field. Her book, The Evolution of Chinese Popular Music Modernization and Globalization, 1927 to the Present, earned a Certificate of Merit for Best Historical Research in Recorded Country, Folk, World, or Roots Music from the Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) Awards for Excellence.
Dr. Cheng, trained in Western classical music, has expanded her focus beyond European traditions to examine the global connections between music and culture in her research. "I believe that sounds can reflect the social movements of their times. In my book, I analyze the evolving sounds of Chinese popular music to gain insights into modern China," she explained. Originally from Taiwan, she holds a Ph.D. in Music Theory from Florida State University, a master’s degree in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in Music from Queens College, City University of New York. Her academic work examines transcultural influences in global Chinese popular music and folksongs, the portrayal of exoticism in Italian operas, and Buddhist music within the Mahayana tradition. She has presented at leading conferences in multiple countries, including Germany, England, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, and the United States.
Her dedication to advancing music scholarship has earned her numerous accolades, including the National Opera Association Dissertation Competition Biennial Prize for her research on Giacomo Puccini, the Florida Education Fund’s McKnight Fellowship, USF’s New Research Grant, the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Scholar Award, and the Kettering Foundation’s Public Scholar Fellowship. "Popular music serves as a mirror for cultural identities," Cheng noted, emphasizing the broader implications of her work.
The ARSC Awards, established in 1991, recognize excellence in recorded sound research and highlight work that meets the highest academic standards. Honorees are selected through a meticulous review process conducted by a panel of scholars, which includes subject-specific judges, judges-at-large, the ARSC Journal review editor, and the ARSC President or past President.
With this latest recognition, Dr. Cheng continues to contribute to the growing body of research on global Chinese popular music, deepening the understanding of its historical evolution and cultural relevance. "Receiving the ARSC award is both surprising and gratifying, as it acknowledges the significance of my research. I hope to see more scholars delve into the rich tapestry of diverse cultural influences in popular music," she shared.
As her work gains wider recognition, Cheng’s research serves as an invitation for scholars and music enthusiasts alike to explore the intricate ways in which sound reflects and shapes cultural narratives across generations.