Allison Ogden

Biography

Dr. Allison Ogden is a distinguished composer, educator, and author, currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Louisville. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music (BM) and the University of Chicago (PhD), Dr. Ogden has made significant contributions to both the academic and creative realms of music. Her journey as a “re-emerging composer” reflects a commitment to balancing the demands of professional artistry and personal life. Having stepped away from composition to raise her two children, she is now a passionate advocate for greater awareness and support for individuals in creative fields who must temporarily pause their work due to caregiving responsibilities, health challenges, or other personal circumstances—issues often disproportionately affecting women. 

Dr. Ogden's compositions reveal a deep engagement with the natural world, exploring themes of astronomy, nocturnal experiences, and the impacts of light pollution. Her work, spanning both acoustic and electroacoustic mediums, is characterized by intricate textural shifts, evocative soundscapes, and the creation of meditative, immersive acoustic environments. 

As a dedicated educator, Dr. Ogden has been instrumental in diversifying and modernizing the music curriculum at the University of Louisville. Her efforts to make music education more inclusive reflect her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of music's role in a global and contemporary context. A lifelong Hip Hop enthusiast, she developed the highly popular course Hip Hop: Music and Culture, which has become one of the University’s most popular courses. Her expertise in this field has led her to lecture at esteemed institutions across the United States and Europe, focusing on the intersections of Hip Hop and social justice movements. 

Degrees and Certifications

Publications

All Scholarly and Creative Works