Polyvocal Research Laboratory

The Lab

Directed by Dr. Gino Sitson, the Polyvocal Research Laboratory is dedicated to the multidisciplinary study of the voice. The lab’s research explores the intersections of musical perception, cognition, and the expressive properties of both spoken and sung voices within Africa and the “black” diaspora. By investigating the intricate processes of musical transmission, we seek to deepen our understanding of vocal heritage and its cognitive foundations.

About the Director

Gino Sitson, PhD (aka Pierre-Eugène Sitchet) is a French-American vocalist, composer, and scholar originally from Cameroon. Based in New York, Dr. Sitson holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from Paris-Sorbonne University and an MS in Education Sciences.

His distinguished career bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and artistic mastery:

Advocacy: Dr. Sitson proudly serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Research & Academia: An Associate Researcher at IReMus (Paris-Sorbonne, CNRS, BnF, Ministry of Culture), his work focuses on the cognitive and expressive dimensions of diasporic music.

Artistic Impact: Under his stage name, he has released ten albums and was featured in the 2009 PBS documentary The Music Instinct: Science and Song, appearing alongside Bobby McFerrin, Daniel Levitin, and Yo-Yo Ma.

Support Our Research

Polyvocal Research Laboratory welcomes support and partnership inquiries from foundations, cultural organizations, and private donors. Your contributions directly fund our multidisciplinary research into the science and artistry of the voice, helping us preserve and explore the rich musical heritage of Africa and its diaspora.

Associate Researchers

  • Narcisse Fomekong Djeugou, PhD (EHESS, Institut des Mondes Africains)
  • Salma Rouyett, PhD (Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco)
  • Ethson Otilien, PhD Candidate (Sorbonne Nouvelle University, Paris, France)
  • Kesler Bien-Aimé, PhD (State University of Haiti)

Publications

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Tahon, Marie, and Pierre-Eugène Sitchet. 2017. “The Transmission of Voicing in Traditional Gwoka: Between Identity and Memory.” Journal of Interdisciplinary Voice Studies 2(2):157–75. http://doi.org/10/gnbhn4.
Tahon, Marie, and Pierre-Eugène Sitchet. 2016. “La nasalité dans le répertoire Gwoka de la Guadeloupe.” In , 8. Le Mans, France. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02308874/document.
Sitchet, Pierre-Eugène, and Marie Tahon. 2016. “Le voisement dans le Gwoka: entre le parlé et le chanté.” In , 8. ALbi, France. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02308865/document.
Sitson, Gino. 2016. “Le gwoka : de l’Unesco aux nouvelles perspectives.” Africultures. February 23. http://africultures.com/le-gwoka-de-lunesco-aux-nouvelles-perspectives-13466/.

The Polyvocal Speaker Series

On the final Saturday of each month, we host a global scholar or professor for an invited talk on the complexities of the voice. These sessions provide a platform for rigorous academic exchange across continents and time zones.

Monthly Schedule:

  • 3:00 PM New York (ET)
  • 9:00 PM Paris (CET)

Stay Connected to receive invitations and updates for our monthly seminars, please join our mailing list by contacting us at: research@polyvocal.com