Bio

J. Daniel Jenkins is a professor of music theory at the University of South Carolina. He holds a Ph.D. in music theory from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, an M.M. in music theory and composition from the University of Louisville, and a B.M. in music education from the University of Kentucky. His research focuses on the music and theoretical thought of Arnold Schoenberg, the music of Elliott Carter, music theory pedagogy, and public music theory. His research has been funded through support of the Avenir Foundation, the Presser Foundation, the Austrian-American Education Commission and the University of South Carolina Office of the Provost. He was a fellow at the Mannes Institute for Advanced Studies in Music Theory that focused on Arnold Schoenberg and his musical legacy in 2007, and a Fulbright Scholar in Vienna 2005-2006.

Jenkins is editor of two books, “Schoenberg’s Program Notes and Analyses” and “The Oxford Handbook of Public Music Theory,” both from Oxford University Press. His articles and book chapters appear in “Music Theory Online,” “Theory and Practice,” “Intégral” and in other publications. He has presented papers at conferences in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. In 2007 he won both the Patricia Carpenter Emerging Scholar Award from the Music Theory Society of New York State and the Best Student Paper Award from the South Central Society for Music Theory.

Jenkins has been a leader in the field of public music theory. His own efforts in public music theory in South Carolina include community engagement projects with Lee Correctional Facility, the Lourie Center, and Toby’s Place. Dedicated to pedagogy, Jenkins teaching awards include the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award and the Garnet Apple Award for Innovative Teaching from the University of South Carolina, the Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching from the University of Rochester, and the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Prize at the Eastman School of Music. In 2020, he was a co-recipient of the inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award from the Society for Music Theory, and in 2014 he was co-recipient of the Harriet Hancock Volunteer of the Year Award from the South Carolina Pride Movement. 

In addition to his work in music theory, Jenkins has composed for several mediums, but especially enjoys writing for winds. His woodwind quartet, “Kisum Flowz,” won the 2000 MENC Student Composition Competition and “Miongháire,” a work for full band commissioned by Charles F. Campbell, Jr., was premiered by the North Hardin Wind Symphony at Carnegie Hall in 2006. He was the assistant director of bands at North Hardin High School in Radcliff, Kentucky, from 1995 to 1998 and also enjoys singing as a countertenor and performing with the Midlands Men’s Chorus.

Jenkins is affiliate faculty in International Studies, Euro Studies and Women's and Gender Studies.