Nicholas Jurkowski graduated with a PhD in music theory from University of California Santa Barbara, where he now lectures. His dissertation, “Joining Forces in Technology: Three Analytical Case Studies of Early Corporate-Sponsored Electronic Music,” focuses on the establishment of three early electronic music studios and the works produced therein. He has presented at conferences in North America and Europe, including at AMS and the West Coast Conference for Music Theory and Analysis.

He holds a master's degree in music theory from Bowling Green State University, and a bachelor's degree in trombone performance from the University of Puget Sound.