Overview
The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center, and GBHI joined forces in 2019 to explore the intersection of music, creativity, and brain science. Through this innovative collaboration, we work together to produce an annual series of public-facing educational programming. The programs highlight novel scientific research and core principles of music and music theory, with presenters from both institutions and exemplary musical performances. Ultimately, the programs raise awareness of innovations in brain health and music to a broad audience.
There are things we know through music we can’t know through other means. We seek to explore these questions.
Project Details
Starting in June 2019, the collaboration with SFCM was launched with “Unravelling Bolero: A Discussion Around the Brain Science of Creativity” at the Conservatory Concert Hall. Maestro Joseph Young, music director of the Berkeley Symphony, led a full orchestra in Maurice Ravel’s Boléro.
This was followed by “The Other Side of the Brain: Exploring Emotion and Music in Dyslexia” in February 2020. Sir Franc D’Ambrosio, the longest-running phantom in Phantom of the Opera and recently knighted by the government of Italy, serenaded the audience after an in-depth interview about his music career and having dyslexia.
The musical highlights included a classical septet of students and faculty from SFCM and an original composition by an SFCM student for voice and piano. Sir Franc D’Ambrosio, the longest-running phantom in Phantom of the Opera also knighted by the government of Italy, then serenaded the audience following an in-depth interview about his music career and having dyslexia.
“The Last Dance: Music, Improvisation & the Resilient Brain” in November 2020 was virtual during COVID-19. It was designed and led by students from SFCM, UCSF, and GBHI together with an L.A.-based pop singer, Kimberly Cole, whose father had frontotemporal dementia. Her original song was broken down through three different styles of music – Baroque, jazz, and a modern flourish paired with dance.
In June 2021, "Jazz, Equity & Brain Health" explored othering and belonging through the lens of jazz music and neuroscience; building community through jazz and brain health equity; and the power of empathy, listening, and inclusion in jazz and dementia work.
Programs continue to explore topics such as resilience, the social determinants of brain health, dementia awareness, and more and the interplay of music in these areas. Additional areas of collaboration are underway.
Members involved
Videos
Gallery
Atlantic Fellow Anne Browning speaks at "The Other Side of the Brain."
Bill Seeley speaks at "Unravelling Boléro"
Atlantic Fellow Boon Lead Tee speaks at "Unravelling Boléro"
Atlantic Fellow Boon Lead Tee speaks at "Unravelling Boléro"
Bruce Miller speaks at "Unravelling Boléro"
Chamber ensemble at "Unravelling Boléro"
