Mary Beth Bauerman

Mary Beth Bauermann is a writer, tap dancer, and guitarist. She studies American cultural history through popular music, dance, literature, and media. Her research investigates sonic and kinesthetic manifestations of social tensions in popular music performances. Recent research projects have focused on 1960s popular music (especially Motown and The Beatles), tap dance history, the singing voice in literature, popular music in film soundtracks, and the cool aesthetic of music and movement. She enjoys writing for academic and public audiences alike.

Mary Beth earned her B.A. from William & Mary, where she double majored in American Studies and English. She has trained for most of her life in tap, ballet, modern, and jazz dance technique. Her dance training informs her research on movement and choreography in popular music performance. Mary Beth is also a rock DJ at WTJU 91.1FM and enjoys engaging with the arts in Charlottesville.