Dr. Hannah Strong

Artist Lecturer in Musicology

Bio

Dr. Hannah Strong is a popular music scholar with a focus on the intersections between rap and hip-hop, social movements, and feminism. She is currently an adjunct instructor of musicology at Carnegie Mellon University. She was previously an adjunct assistant professor of music literature at Shenandoah University and a visiting instructor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. During her time there, she was nominated three times for the Elizabeth Baranger Excellence in Teaching Award. She has taught both graduate and undergraduate courses, including History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Protest Music, Hip Hop Feminism, Jazz History, Creative Musicianship, Music to 1750, and Beyoncé’s Lemonade.

Music and Politics in the Moment published her work on Black Lives Matter and taxonomies of musical protest. Her research on Beyoncé and the #MeToo movement is featured in Diva: Feminism and Fierceness from Pop to Hip-Hop (2023). She frequently presents her research at conferences of the American Musicological Society, International Association for the Study of Popular Music, Society for American Music, and Cultural Studies Association.

Dr. Strong earned a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2026. Her dissertation is “Poppin’ Plan B’s:” Weaponizing Pussy Rap Against Misogyny Post Roe v. Wade. She earned a Master of Music in Music History from Temple University in 2019 and a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Sustainability Studies from Westminster Choir College in 2013. She is a classically trained vocalist and pianist.