Date of Award
Spring 5-27-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Art (M.F.A.)
Department
Conservatory of Music
Language
English
First Advisor
Angela Piva
Abstract
My Journey to Sranan: Through Lineage, History and Music is a creative thesis documenting the making of Mama Sranan, a debut electronic album rooted in Surinamese musical heritage. The project traces the author's journey reconnecting with her Surinamese roots through genealogical research, historical study, and a field research trip to Paramaribo in January 2026. The thesis examines the history of Suriname, its colonial past, and the Afro-Surinamese musical traditions of kawina and kaseko, alongside a detailed account of the author's own family history spanning multiple ethnic and cultural lineages. The accompanying album incorporates field recordings made in Suriname, traditional rhythm patterns, and intimate electronic songwriting to create a sonic exploration of diaspora, cultural memory, and personal identity. The thesis is written from the perspective of a Dutch-Surinamese artist, DJ and producer based in New York City.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Van Den Berg, Dionne, "Sonic Inheritance: My Journey to Sranan Through Memory, Lineage, and Composition" (2026). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/bc_etds/39
