Profile:
J. H. Kwabena Nketia was a Director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana in the year 1964-1969, He was also the professor of Music at UCLA where he taught one quarter per annually. In the fall of 1971, he was appointed to the Music Department of Harvard University for a semester as Horatio Appleton Lamb visiting Professor. He lectured at other U.S Universities and at similar institutions and conferences in many parts of the world. His publications are extensive and include several articles on African music and related arts as well as books in the Twi language, and English. Among his monographs are Funeral Dirges of the Akan people, African Music in Ghana, Drumming in Akan communities of Ghana, Folksongs of Ghana, Music, Dance and Drama, Our Dance and Drama, and The Music of Africa.
Education:
- Primary and middle school: Mampong Ashanti 1928-1936
- Teacher Training college: Akropong Akwapim 1937-1940 (Teachers certificate ‘A’)
- School of Oriental and African Studies/ University of London:1944-1946 (Certificate in Phonetics)
- Birkbeck College, University of London, Trinity college of music, London: 1946-49 (B.A. London)
- Colombia University, Julliard School of Music, Northwestern University (One semester,1958-1959, Ethnomusicology and composition)