Community of practice, Wednesday, APRIL 22ND, 2026

The Music and Disability Study Group is proud to host Jonathan DeSouza and our very own Secretary Rena Roussin at our Community of Practice on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 at 10:00am PST/1:00pm EST via Zoom. They will present on "Instrumental and Bodily Affordances; or, Disability and the Affordance of “Affordance” "


Please register to the session using the following link: 
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https://utexas.zoom.us/meeting/register/Sn3chYR2RgGP4zPzqMAcmQ
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​Abstract: 
In this presentation, music theorist Jonathan De Souza and musicologist Rena Roussin will interview each other about their respective interests in instrumental and bodily affordances, and the ways theories of affordance interact with cultures of accessibility. Aspects of the presentation will include introducing and defining the concept of affordances—possibilities for action, available for certain organisms, under certain conditions—and discussing how affordance theory can inform understandings of instruments, bodies, and methods of making music. Jonathan and Rena will also deliberately organize this conversation around their work as established and emerging researchers thinking about concepts of affordance, with the hopes that all Community of Practice participants will feel welcomed to join the conversation. After approx. 35-40 minutes of discussion, participants will be invited to share questions and ideas about affordances in small groups and then in a larger group discussion and Q&A.
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