Neural tango

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Music is deeply embedded in our human consciousness; we delight in hearing live concerts, shed an occasional tear of sadness or joy when recalling a song associated with the memory of a special life event, and stream preferred background music on our phones 24/7. Conclusive scientific research also verifies that music is a direct channel to the brain, and that music therapy can greatly benefit people with medical or educational challenges.

The tango is a highly disciplined dance featuring long, elegant steps and complex maneuvers; with practice it appears free, easy, naturally flowing, and highly rhythmic. There is a similar parallel with how music interacts in the brain. The brain hears music and responds to it; just as the rhythmic dance in the tango leads the dancer into a remarkable experience where they improve more with each practice session.

This unique learning series fits neatly into the intersection of music, science, technology, and health by weaving together the diverse elements of aesthetic and therapeutic musical attributes, just like how the tango weaves together dance and music.

It is our fervent hope that by learning more about the benefits of music in therapy, our audience will be encouraged to bring more healing music into their own lives as we create innovative ideas for positively transforming healthcare through music.

Start your journey below.

Neural Tango: part 1

How it all works - basic science for music and the brain using music therapy
Neural Tango: part 2

Discussion with Maureen Barber-Carey (Barber National Institute) and Philharmonic Executive Director Steve Weiser
Neural Tango: part 3

Historical overview with Music Director Daniel Meyer and WQLN’s Brian Hannah
Neural Tango: part 4

Martha Summa-Chadwick, DMA, certified music therapist Craig Stevens, and physical therapist Elizabeth Darling discuss how rhythm helps positively influence motor movements in gait training.
Neural Tango: part 6

Philharmonic String Quartet performance of Beethoven String Quartet in f minor, Op. 95 ‘Serioso’

Dr. Martha Summa-Chadwick, creator

Image Creator: Angela Foster
Copyright: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Piecing it together

People depend on music every day to enrich lives, enhance special occasions, or encourage muscle movement. While much is known about the aesthetic value of music, the knowledge of how the human brain interacts directly with music on a therapeutic level is not as familiar. This unique learning series seeks to bridge that gap by providing fascinating video discussions regarding music therapy and music enrichment, as well as delivering a beautiful experiential music platform. Leading experts in various musical, medical, therapeutic, non-profit, and administrative professional areas are featured giving in-depth conversations to provide the audience a broader view of the positive aesthetic and health benefits of music. Following the discussion videos, the outstanding musicians from the Erie Philharmonic perform Beethoven’s string quartet op. 95 to unify the educational dialogue with an experiential musical presentation.

Music therapy discussions will reveal that neuroscience professionals acknowledge science-based research shows music as a direct pathway to activating motor, speech, and cognition processes in the brain.