Ryan André Brasseaux (born 1976) is an American scholar of vernacular American music and an education administrator. He has served as the Dean of Davenport College at Yale University since 2011. He is an expert on the history of Cajun music, and a frequent collaborator with the

Lost Bayou Ramblers Lost Bayou Ramblers is a Cajun music band from Broussard, Arnaudville and New Orleans, Louisiana. Career Lost Bayou Ramblers was born deep in South Louisiana performing old style, predominantly acoustic Cajun music at clubs and festivals acros ...

Early life and education

Ryan André Brasseaux was born in 1976; his father is Cajun historian Carl A. Brasseaux. He did undergraduate work in anthropology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and earned an M.A. degree from Louisiana State University. He received a M.A. degree and

M. Phil. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil; Latin ' or ') is a postgraduate degree. In the United States, an MPhil typically includes a taught portion and a significant research portion, during which a thesis project is conducted under supervision. An MPhil ...

degree in 2008 and his Ph.D. in 2011 from Yale University. He was awarded a Beinecke Research Fellowship, the Lamar Research Scholar, Kinney/Tesoro Fellowships from the Howard R. Lamar Center for the Study of Frontiers and Borders, and a Prize Teaching Fellowship for excellence in undergraduate instruction and mentorship.

Work

In 2007, Brasseaux helped found Public Humanities at Yale University, a graduate student initiative that evolved into an ongoing lecture series and a Masters of Arts program. Brasseaux has presented his work across the United States, including invited lectures in New York City, Yale University, to the Fulbright Institute, and as the keynote speaker at

Nashville Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and the ...

's International Country Music Conference. He has also lectured extensively, accompanied by

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

-nominated Cajun band the

, on the origins and evolution of Cajun music. In the wake of

Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was a destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that caused over 1,800 fatalities and $125 billion in damage in late August 2005, especially in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. It was at the time the cost ...

in 2005, Brasseaux worked as research associate for the nationally syndicated public radio program '' American Routes'' ( KRVS 88.7 FM) hosted by Nick Spitzer.

Publications

He is the author of ''Cajun Breakdown: The Emergence of an American-Made Music'' (Oxford University Press, 2009), co-editor of ''Accordions, Fiddles, Two Step & Swing: A Cajun Music Reader'' (2006), and co-author of ''Stir the Pot: The History of Cajun Cuisine'' (2005). *Cajun Breakdown: The Emergence of an American-Made Music (Oxford University Press, 2009) *Accordions, Fiddles, Two Step and Swing: A Cajun Music Reader (Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2006). With Kevin S. Fontenot. *

Personal life

Brasseaux is married to Jessika (née Ducharme), and they have two children.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brasseaux, Ryan 1976 births Living people American folklorists Cajun people People from Lafayette, Louisiana Yale University alumni Louisiana State University alumni University of Louisiana at Lafayette alumni

Early life and education

Work

Publications

Personal life

See also

References