Love for Latin American song and poetry leads Costa Rican musician to Hispanic Studies Ph.D. program at Texas A&M

Juan Carlos Ureña is the first Hispanic Studies Ph.D. graduate at Texas A&M.

Poetry and music began in Ancient civilizations as one art form and over time separated into different art forms: classical music was studied in schools of music, traditional and folk music was studied by folklorists, and poetry was studied in literature.

However, when poetry is set to music, or songs are written with poetic lyrics, the combination generates a completely different art form that has not received much attention from scholars.

This link between poetry and music in Latin American songs is the dissertation subject of Juan Carlos Ureña, the first Hispanic Studies Ph.D. graduate at Texas A&M University.

Musical roots spark new interest

Ureña, a Costa Rican performer, composer and songwriter, worked in music while living in his hometown of San José, Costa Rica, traveling to many countries performing in concerts and music festivals. In fact, Ureña has recorded 10 albums of original music and has contributed songs to numerous music collections in the United States, Latin America and Europe.

After studying music at the Universidad de Costa Rica, Ureña ventured to Texas with Jeana Paul—a Texan who had been living in Costa Rica—with whom he had fallen in love with (and later married).

In Texas, Ureña completed his master’s work in music composition at Stephen F. Austin State University and then began looking into Ph.D. programs in Spanish studies to complement his interests in Hispanic song.

Second career path found in Hispanic Studies

The professional musician visited Texas A&M University’s new Hispanic Studies program and, after meeting with professors and the A&M students studying Hispanic poetry, Ureña was convinced that the program would be perfect for his career.

“I am a professional musician as well as a professor,” Ureña said. “I write songs and poetry and have always enjoyed mixing the two professions. When Texas A&M began their new Hispanic Studies program, which includes interdisciplinary fields with traditional Spanish literature courses, I was very interested in the program.”

The interdisciplinary nature of the program is, in part, a result of collaboration between disciplines and across campuses with Texas A&M University in College Station and three Texas A&M University System institutions: Texas A&M University- International, Texas A&M University- Kingsville and Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi. Texas A&M administers and teaches courses in the program while faculty at the other three institutions also teach courses for the program.

Unlike traditional Spanish programs that focus solely in language and literature, the Hispanic Studies Ph.D. allows students to take courses in related disciplines such as history, sociology and philosophy. The program provides students with a better rounded education and knowledge of the Hispanic world. Graduates from this program are expected to be able to help address the complex issues from the growing socio-economic realities facing the largest minority group in the United States.

Ureña defended his dissertation, History and Poetic Structure of Hispanic Popular Song (The Case for Central America) in April and will graduate in August 2008 as the first Ph.D. student in Hispanic Studies.

"Juan Carlos Ureña is not just the first student to get a Ph.D in Hispanic Studies, but also a first rate scholar. His first two articles as a Ph.D. in the field have been accepted by referee publications and his dissertation will be published as a book. For this reason, and also for his qualities as a human being, he is an example to follow for our Ph.D. students,” said Eduardo Espina, professor of Hispanic Studies and director of Ureña’s dissertation.

“The Hispanic Studies program gave me a strong academic foundation in literature and Hispanic culture,” Ureña said. “These areas are very important in my professional life, and combining my work as a musician with my work as a literary scholar has been a unique opportunity.”

Future lies in two greatest loves, music and Hispanic studies

Now that he has completed his degree, Ureña is looking forward to “learning how to relax again.”

Throughout his time at Texas A&M, Ureña worked full time, teaching a full load of classes as an adjunct professor at Stephen F. Austin University, commuting from Nacogdoches to College Station, all while taking a full load every semester.

Ureña recently took a tenure-track position teaching Spanish and Latin American studies at Stephen F. Austin, where he and his wife—who is also a professor at Stephen F. Austin—live with their three children, Pablo, Bryan and Esteban.

In his spare time he will continue to pursue his other profession—not hobby—music.

“I love to play and compose music,” Ureña said. “Music takes me many places.”

To preview samples of Ureña’s music, visit his personal website at juancarlos.urena.com. For more information on the Ph.D. program, visit http://hisp.tamu.edu/graduate-phd.html.

Holly Lambert

Contact: Leanne South, lsouth@tamu.edu, 979.845.6294