Serving Our Trans Communities: A Collaborative Autoethnography by Academic Musical Activists

Serving Our Trans Communities: A Collaborative Autoethnography by Academic Musical Activists is a scholarly exploration of transgender experiences across music education, musicology, performance, and activism. Edited by Christopher Cayari, the volume features contributions from seven trans musical academics and activists―Stephanie Byers, Felix A. Graham, Sadie Hochman-Ruiz, Emma Joy Jampole, Tatyana C. Louis-Jacques, William Sauerland, and Cayari themself―with a foreword by Tony E. Adams. The book utilizes collaborative autoethnography as its primary research method, systematically analyzing personal experiences to identify and challenge cultural and institutional norms.

Through the framework of collaborative autoethnography, the authors developed identity statements and epiphany/milestone timelines, engaging in rigorous, iterative cycles of collaborative data gathering and analysis to inform their chapters. Each narrative explores how being transgender influences the authors' experiences in music learning, making, and teaching, while also addressing the essential role of activism in academic, performance, and professional spaces. The book concludes with a multiple case study analysis and a reflective afterword, identifying common and unique experiences within the trans music community. Ultimately, Serving Our Trans Communities aims to empower trans musicians and educators, while serving as a rigorous resource for cisgender allies, scholars, and policymakers seeking to support trans individuals in musical contexts.

Dr. Christopher Cayari (he/they) is an Associate Professor of Music at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana; active musical theater, cabaret, and choral performer; a Fulbright Specialist for ethnic, cultural, Asian-American, and gender and sexuality studies; and the founding series editor for the Routledge book series Self-Reflexive Research in Music Disciplines.