USC Musicology Forum Lecture: Dr. Cassandre Balosso-Bardin will discuss her current work as a Chester Dale Fellow at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she is carrying out the first in-depth study of the musical instrument department's bagpipe collection. She will explore the collection – which spans 52 instruments from across the world, including 18th century baroque musettes and Egyptian bagpipes – as well as present her work with conservators, looking at instrument provenance, material identification and x-ray technology to understand making techniques and the origin of instruments. Her presentation will be accompanied by live music demonstrated on Prof. Balosso-Bardin's personal instruments.  

Dr. Cassandre Balosso-Bardin is an Associate Professor at University of Lincoln, UK, and has published a range of peer-reviewed articles and book papers as well as lay articles. She is currently on research leave, carrying out a senior fellowship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Cassandre is the founding director of the International Bagpipe Organisation and co-created International Bagpipe Day, which is now celebrated across the world. She is also a professional musician and has performed at venues and festivals such as the Proms, the Chapelle Royale de Versailles, WOMAD, Rich Mix, Stockholm Culture Festival and Oslo World Festival.