INFORMATION FOR
Major: Sound Engineering Arts; Master of Music in Music Management
Current Title: Assistant Professor of Music, University of Pennsylvania
Jasmine Henry-Tomski is an assistant professor of musicology at the University of Pennsylvania. A specialist in 20th and 21st century African American popular music, much of her research unearths the overlooked cultural histories in New Jersey, focusing on Newark’s rich but often neglected Black cultural heritage. This focus informs her in-progress book project, titled This is Jersey: Black Club Music and the Politics of Locality in Newark, which examines how Black club music DJs and dancers reimagine urban geographies as spaces of pleasure, play, and relaxation, framing leisure and recreation as integral to urban Black identity and experience rather than mere escapes from urban violence. Jasmine has presented this work at national and international events, including talks at Columbia University, UCLA, and the University of Miami. Committed to diversifying music curricula and making musicology accessible to wider audiences, she regularly designs courses such as Black Jazz Experimentalisms, Black Club Music and Party Cultures, and Black Music and Sports, which explore the intersections of Black musical traditions. Jasmine was among the inaugural predoctoral fellows at William Paterson University in 2021, which supported the completion of her dissertation on New Jersey club music while teaching music production at her alma mater. She has also directed the Media Lab at Newark School of the Arts, a historic community arts organization, where she worked to expand access to music technologies and industry knowledge for Black and brown youth. Jasmine has discussed the significant role of popular music in shaping contemporary society through media interviews with WBGO, CNN, and Penn Today.
Proudest Professional Accomplishment: “I have been fortunate to have incredible mentors throughout my career who continue to guide and support me. Their influence has deeply shaped my ability to serve as a mentor, particularly to Black and brown musicians, students, and scholars—an accomplishment I am immensely proud of. In a time when the arts and humanities face an uncertain future, uplifting and nurturing underrepresented creative voices feels more urgent and necessary than ever.”
WP Pride. “William Paterson played an essential role in jumpstarting my career in sound engineering, which remains central to my scholarly and creative practice. The hands-on experience I gained through the curriculum, paired with the unwavering support and guidance of my professors—now colleagues—helped me make important connections with industry professionals and has been core to my success. William Paterson has always felt like home, and I know that no matter where my career takes me, the Music Department will always welcome me back with warmth and support.”
