Global Music, Canadian Classrooms: Ethnomusicology in Canada
October 1st is International Music Day, a celebration of music’s power to unite people across cultures, languages, and continents. For international students interested in music, Canada offers world-class education that not only teaches classical and contemporary styles—but also embraces the richness of global and traditional music from around the world.
Whether you’re a student from Pakistan who plays the tabla, a Nigerian who grew up with Afrobeat, or a Canadian raised on folk music, Canadian universities provide inclusive, culturally diverse programs where all musical traditions are valued.
🎓 Canadian Universities with International Music Programs
Here are some top Canadian universities where international music and ethnomusicology are a core part of the curriculum:
🎼 University of Waterloo – Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo's Conrad Grebel University College now offers new global music study opportunities for international students with its first ethnomusicologist, Dr. Maisie Sum.
Introducing Global Music and Ethnomusicology
Dr. Maisie Sum, appointed in 2013 as the University's first ethnomusicologist, holds a PhD from UBC and extensive international research and performance experience in Morocco, Bali, Japan, and beyond (University of Waterloo).
She leads the World Music Ensemble: Gamelan Music of Bali, expanding participation in active music‑making and cultural engagement across global traditions (The Whole Note).
Why Waterloo Stands Out
Global music is now embedded in Waterloo’s liberal-arts ethos, blending classroom learning with participatory performance, intercultural dialogue, and peace-building initiatives (University of Waterloo).
Ethnomusicology at Waterloo supports students in developing sensitivity, awareness, and appreciation for diverse cultures through both scholarly study and ensemble practice.
🎤 University of Alberta – Edmonton, Alberta
International students interested in ethnomusicology have excellent opportunities in Canada, especially at the University of Alberta, which offers a rich combination of archival resources and graduate study options:
Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology (CCE):
A renowned archive housing diverse musical instruments and over 4,000 audio/video recordings documenting musical and cultural traditions (University of Alberta).
Provides access to rich primary materials for research, bridging music with social sciences, humanities, and fine arts (University of Alberta).
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Music – Ethnomusicology focus:
Offers both thesis-based and course-based options combining theory, musicology, ethnomusicology, and popular music studies (calendar.ualberta.ca, University of Alberta).
Core courses include Issues in Ethnomusicology alongside seminars in musicology, theory, and media studies (University of Alberta).
Students engage with the CCE through colloquium series like "Questions About Music" and work closely with faculty renowned for global music and cultural research (University of Alberta).
Music students may pursue studies in ethnomusicology at the University of Alberta's Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology, which was established by Dr. Regula Qureshi. Dr. Qureshi specialized in Urdu and Hindi language and literature, as well as the music of India and Pakistan.
🎧 Western University – London, Ontario
Western’s Don Wright Faculty of Music offers:
Courses in non-Western music, music and migration, and global music studies.
Opportunities for international collaborations and music research.
A diverse student body and faculty committed to expanding the definition of what music education looks like.
🎵 University of Toronto – Toronto, Ontario
U of T’s Faculty of Music offers:
A specialization in ethnomusicology, with access to rare instruments, global recordings, and cultural fieldwork opportunities.
The World Music Ensembles program, which has featured Gamelan (Indonesia), Japanese Taiko, African drumming, and Arabic music.
Graduate programs and research in global music traditions and their social, historical, and political contexts.
U of T’s location in Toronto—a global city—means students experience music from all over the world, both on and off campus.
🎶 University of British Columbia (UBC) – Vancouver, BC
UBC's School of Music is one of the largest in Western Canada and offers:
Courses in ethnomusicology—the study of music from cultural and global perspectives.
World music ensembles where students can perform music from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Research opportunities on music and identity, migration, and global cultural exchange.
UBC also partners with Indigenous and multicultural communities in Vancouver, enhancing real-world learning.
🎓 How International Students Benefit
Learn about your own musical heritage in a new academic context.
Collaborate with students from all over the world.
Access to instrument libraries, world music ensembles, and festivals.
Build a foundation for careers in education, performance, cultural policy, music therapy, and more.
Whether your goal is to perform, teach, or research music across cultures, Canada offers academic freedom, creative exploration, and global perspectives in music education.
🎵 Final Notes for International Music Day
Music is a universal language—but the way it's studied, performed, and preserved differs across regions and cultures. On International Music Day, remember that studying music in Canada isn’t about replacing your roots. It’s about adding new rhythms, harmonies, and instruments to your life’s symphony.
To learn more about studying music in Canada contact Go 2 Canada Education Services and explore the world through music - right from your Canadian university classroom.