This research explores how people assign historical, emotional, cultural, and social value to musical instruments. Using the famous Pannonica Piano as a case study, it examines how relationships between people and instruments shape meaning, demonstrating that ethnomusicology studies not only music itself but also the human experiences surrounding it.

This talk explores African pianism, a fusion of African musical traditions and Western classical piano. Tracing its origins and development, it highlights its cultural significance and growing presence in the United States. The research argues that institutional contexts shape its reception and advocates for its inclusion to diversify and enrich classical music.