Michael B. Bakan
About the Author
Michael B. Bakan is a distinguished ethnomusicologist, musician, and author whose work bridges the worlds of global music traditions and personal narratives of neurodiversity. With a PhD in ethnomusicology, he has dedicated his career to exploring how music shapes cultural identities and individual experiences, drawing from his own insights as an autistic individual and accomplished performer on instruments like the gamelan and drumset. Bakan's writing illuminates the transformative power of music in diverse contexts, from Balinese rituals to modern therapeutic practices, while advocating for inclusive voices in the arts. His contributions extend to academia, where he teaches at institutions like Florida State University, inspiring students to engage deeply with world musics and their profound human connections.
