About Kimberley Watson

Kimberley Watson (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in Ethnomusicology and Folklore at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Education

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, she holds a B.F.A. in Music from the University of Trinidad and Tobago, an M.M. in Music Education from the University of Delaware, and an M.M. in Ethnomusicology from Bowling Green State University.

Research Interests

Her interdisciplinary research explores Afro-spirituality, ancestrality, and the environment as vital forces within Trinbagonian cultural expression. Focusing on carnival, calypso, steelpan, and African-derived religious practices, she examines how African cosmologies are embedded in these forms and how they shape Trinbagonian epistemologies. For Kimberley, these traditions are not confined to performance or ritual—they permeate everyday life and resist separation from the mundane, reflecting a deeply rooted worldview where the spiritual and the ordinary are inherently intertwined. Kimberley is also deeply invested in the Trinbagonian environment, recognizing it as central to cultural life—whether through food, music, or spiritual practice. Her work highlights the interconnection between ecological preservation and cultural survival.

Student Advocacy

In addition to her academic pursuits, Kimberley is an experienced educator who has worked extensively with students with special needs. She has compiled a resource book for teaching percussion and traditional Trinbagonian instruments to students with disabilities. An accomplished musician, she plays steelpan, clarinet, and various percussion instruments.