Echezonachukwu Nduka, the distinguished Nigerian poet and pianist, has been granted the esteemed Booth Ferris Graduate Fellowship to support his advanced studies and research at the University of Pennsylvania.
The announcement, conveyed in a letter dated December 6th from Beth S Wenger, Dean of Graduate Studies at the School of Art and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, marks a significant milestone in Nduka’s academic journey.
The Booth Ferris Graduate Fellowship, administered by the Booth Ferris Foundation – a venerable Trust and Grant body established in 1957 with a focus on Arts and Culture, will co-fund Nduka’s graduate studies. This accolade comes in addition to the Benjamin Franklin Fellowship bestowed upon him earlier this year by the university.
Nduka, renowned for his poetic prowess with critically acclaimed works like Chrysanthemums for Wide-eyed Ghosts (2018) and Waterman (2020), expands his artistic repertoire with the recent release of The African Serenades (Centaur Records, 2023). This musical venture showcases his expertise in performing select African classical piano pieces.
As a Ph.D student in music studies: Ethnomusicology at the University of Pennsylvania, Nduka’s research interests span diverse areas, including African Pianism, African Art Music, Applied Ethnomusicology, Performance Studies and Postcolonial Literature. Described by The Guardian as an “Artist Extraordinaire,” Nduka’s multidimensional talent continues to captivate audiences globally.
