The first time I met Professor DJ Hatfield, he was wearing a traditional print shirt, casual brown wide-leg pants, and a pair of beautiful wooden clogs. His every gesture exuded a comfortable yet uniquely artistic aura. With his distinct personal style, he stood before us and spoke Mandarin so fluently that it took us by surprise, sparking our curiosity about his journey with Taiwan.
A Journey of Learning Mandarin: How an American Youth’s Story in Taiwan Began
Professor DJ Hatfield, also known as "Ah-De," was born in a small town in eastern Virginia, USA. He grew up in a Mennonite family, where life was simple and conservative, and community support was highly valued. However, due to multiple relocations, he developed a deep interest in the people, society, and structures around him.
While studying East Asian Studies at Washington and Lee University, he began his journey of learning Mandarin. Despite having a strict and intimidating Mandarin teacher, he diligently attended classes from Monday to Friday and spent long hours in the language lab listening to tapes and recording himself for practice. His hard work paid off, making him one of the very few students in his class to complete two years of Mandarin courses.
During his sophomore year, his Mandarin teacher advised him, "Your Mandarin won’t improve much more if you stay here. You should go to Taiwan to learn Mandarin—even if it means delaying your graduation by a year. No one will care whether you graduate on time, but the experience of studying in Taiwan will be a valuable memory for life."
With this encouragement, in 1987, Professor Hatfield traveled to Tunghai University in Taichung as an exchange student for a year. Interestingly, the first Mandarin phrase he ever learned, "thank you," was taught to him by his father, who had once served as an air force officer in Taichung’s Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.
A Deep Bond with Taiwan
Professor Hatfield described Taichung in 1987 as a "charming city" that had not yet been overdeveloped. The city was small, and if he woke up early, he could catch a glimpse of the beautiful Central Mountain Range. Since there were very few foreigners in Taichung at the time, he had no choice but to use Mandarin in his daily life.
During that year, he studied Mandarin at Tunghai University’s Mandarin Language Center while also taking freshman social work courses to understand Taiwan’s social issues. He joined the Tunghai Mountain Service Club, where he met indigenous people, including the renowned Paiwan artist Sakuliu Pavavaljung from Sandimen Township.
Outside the campus, he further immersed himself in Taiwanese society—whether chatting with young people on the bus or meeting indigenous people on the streets, he built meaningful connections through these interactions, deepening his understanding of Taiwan’s society and indigenous cultures.
From Visitor to Local: Taiwan as Home
After completing his exchange program, Professor Hatfield returned to the U.S. to finish his undergraduate degree. He then pursued a master’s and Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Chicago, focusing his dissertation on the folk beliefs of Minnan (Hokkien) people.
To conduct in-depth research, he spent significant time in Taiwan, frequently traveling back and forth between the two countries. He focused his studies on Lukang, participating in temple festivals and researching Taiwanese religious practices. In addition to Lukang, he often visited the Dulan Tribe, where he spent time in nature writing and compiling his fieldwork notes.
The locals fondly compared him to a migratory bird, saying, "Whenever Ah-De arrives, we know the Harvest Festival is near!" These warm interactions forged strong bonds between him and the indigenous communities, as well as with non-mainstream musicians within these tribes.
Collaborating with artists in Dulan and creating on the shores of Jinzun Beach opened new doors for him—leading him to explore indigenous culture, music, and sound art. This inspired his second major research project, "Diverse Trajectories," which focused on the interactions between mainstream and non-mainstream music, as well as the fusion of pop music with traditional indigenous songs.
Starting from 2014, through diverse programs, including Fulbright fellowships and visiting scholar exchanges, his trips to Taiwan became increasingly frequent, and his stays grew longer. It became difficult for him to spend a full academic year at Berklee College of Music, where he was teaching at the time. Meanwhile, more musicians invited him to collaborate on music projects.
His long-time academic collaborators, including Professor Lin Wei-Pin from National Taiwan University, Professor Chen Chun-Bin from Taipei National University of the Arts, and Professor Tsai Cheng-Liang from National Taitung University, strongly encouraged him to stay in Taiwan. After much consideration and driven by his deep emotional connection with Taiwan, he finally decided to join the Graduate Institute of Musicology at NTU—marking the beginning of his permanent residency in Taiwan.
From Anthropologist to Sound Artist
Professor Hatfield’s passion for sound research started as an accidental hobby. He used to carry a recorder to night markets, capturing the lively sounds, or to the seaside and riversides, collecting the sounds of the wind. Initially, he thought these recordings made him a failed anthropologist. However, after discussing with friends back in Chicago, he realized that what he had been doing all along was actually "sound studies."
Over time, his research expanded beyond analyzing sound through music (such as frequency and rhythm). He began focusing on the interaction between sound producers and listeners and how sound is shaped by historical and cultural contexts. He also studied the concept of historical soundscapes—how sound is recorded and interpreted over time.
During our interview, he provided an example of how different groups perceive sound differently. For Amis indigenous people, singing and drinking after work represents an essential social activity. However, in an urban setting, outsiders may misinterpret these same sounds as a sign of indigenous people struggling to adapt to city life. Without understanding the context, it is difficult to fully grasp the true meaning of sound.
Another aspect of his research focuses on auditory habits. For example, In Taiwan, hearing "Maidens’ Prayer" (a classical piano piece) immediately reminds people of garbage trucks. How can an artist make audiences question their auditory experiences or interpret sounds in new ways? This is an interesting challenge that Professor Hatfield continues to explore.
Beyond academic publications, he actively brings sound studies to the public through exhibitions, lectures, and concerts—allowing musicology to be experienced in a practical and engaging way.
Teaching at NTU
Unlike his time at Berklee College of Music, where he primarily taught general education courses, Professor Hatfield now has his own research office at NTU’s Graduate Institute of Musicology. This allows him to provide more tailored guidance to students.
He establishes "learning communities" where students and teachers collaborate to determine the course structure, select materials, and set learning agreements. Each week, students provide feedback to one another, fostering a dynamic learning atmosphere.
Although many believe Taiwanese students are quiet and passive, he humorously refutes this: "These young people’s parents were once rebels themselves!" He believes that if given the right opportunities, students will express unique thoughts and insights. His goal is to cultivate independent research skills and encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning.
"I’m still not a Taipei person," he admits. He loves rivers and the ocean, enjoys the sunny weather in Taitung, and cherishes the tribal life in Dulan. However, he is slowly adapting to Taipei, finding comfort in communities such as the indigenous groups under Fuzhou Bridge, Xizhou Tribe in Xiaobitan, and Wulai’s indigenous settlements. These places provide him with a sense of belonging amid the city’s hustle and bustle.
One cold December day, I ran into Professor Hatfield on campus again. He was wearing a vibrant blue and yellow patterned sweater and a deep blue beanie—maintaining his signature style.
"Professor, your beanie looks great!" I said.
He smiled and replied, "I knitted it myself!"
After a brief chat, I learned that he had been busy applying for research grants and would soon be heading back to Dulan—to the peaceful land embraced by mountains and close to the sea.