Thomas L. Riis, Emeritus Joseph Negler Professor of Musicology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, received a B.A. from Oberlin College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. In 2001, he served as the Albert Seay Distinguished Visiting Professor at Colorado College. Dr. Riis is a specialist in Musical Theatre and writes and lectures frequently on many topics in nineteenth- and twentieth-century American music. His book Just Before Jazz, devoted to African-American Broadway shows, received an ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award in 1995. As a Fulbright Senior Scholar, he taught in Lueneburg, Germany, 2005-2006. His other interests include medieval song, historical performance practice, and the music of Frank Loesser. Dr. Riis remains active as a conductor, choral singer, viola player, and cellist.