Announcing the Inaugural Taricani Lecture
The University of Washington School of Law is proud to announce the launch of the Taricani Lecture on Music and the Law, a new annual series established in the memory of JoAnn Taricani, a beloved faculty member from the UW School of Music whose enduring impact stems from her scholarship, public service and deep commitment to the arts.
Designed as a flagship public event, the Taricani Lecture will bring leading thinkers, practitioners and artists to Seattle for conversations that explore the evolving intersection of music, law and public discourse — from copyright and licensing to artificial intelligence and artistic freedom.
Continuing a Legacy
Professor Taricani’s decades of service to the University of Washington left a profound and lasting imprint. She was a scholar, advocate and mentor. A distinguished music historian and early music specialist, Taricani was known for integrating rigorous historical research with live performance, bringing centuries-old works to life in both classrooms and concert halls.
Her leadership extended across campus. She served on university-wide budget and planning committees, represented faculty interests in the state legislature and chaired the Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics. Within the School of Music, she held key roles as director, graduate program coordinator and chair of music history.
Equally important was her mentorship. Her students have gone on to pursue advanced degrees at institutions such as Oxford and Columbia, and her doctoral advisees now hold leadership positions in academia, curation and performance. The new lecture series reflects her interdisciplinary spirit — connecting scholarship, the arts and civic engagement in ways that shaped generations of students.
A Conversation at the Crossroads of Music and Law
The Taricani Lecture will serve as a forum for examining the legal frameworks that shape creative expression. Topics may include:
- Copyright and high-profile infringement disputes
- Licensing and the music industry’s evolving business models
- The legal implications of AI-generated music
- Artistic freedom in a rapidly changing media landscape
By convening experts who are also compelling storytellers, the series aims to engage students, alumni, practitioners and the broader public in accessible, thought-provoking dialogue.
Designed for Public Impact
At its core, the Taricani Lecture is a continuation of Taricani’s belief that scholarship belongs in public conversation — that rigorous inquiry and artistic expression can illuminate contemporary challenges and inspire civic engagement. “Our goal is to ensure that the lecture reaches not only the UW community but also audiences across the region and beyond,” says Peter Nicolas, William L. Dwyer Endowed Chair in Law and Adjunct Professor of Music.
The inaugural lecture on Feb. 23, 2026, will feature musicologist Judith Finell, known for her work in high-profile copyright cases. Titled “All Shook Up: The Rocky Road from Elvis to an AI-Generated Country Song,” Finell will discuss the challenges posed to the intellectual property rights of composers and performers in light of today’s transformative technology.
UW Law looks forward to welcoming the community to a new tradition: a gathering where music and law meet, and where the legacy of JoAnn Taricani continues to shape conversations for years to come.
Event Details:
Location: William H. Gates Hall, Rm. 138
Date: Monday, Feb. 23, 2026
Reception: 5 p.m.
Lecture: 5:30 p.m.
This lecture has been approved by the WSBA for 1.25 CLE credits.