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Anne Browning Speaks at Other Side of the Brain

Exploring the intersection of music, creativity, and brain science

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), Global Brain Health Initiative (GBHI) and the University of California San Francisco Memory and Aging Center (UCSF MAC) 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.

Jazz Equity Brain Health

Jazz, Equity & Brain Health

6/15/2021 - 1:00PM PT

Join SFCM, UCSF MAC and GBHI, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, in an exchange on jazz, equity and brain health.

This event will explore 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. Presenters will consider the ideas of resilience, empathy, improvisation, equity, inclusion, belonging—as well as the social and genetic determinants of brain health—and how they relate to jazz, a musical genre that welcomes and celebrates individual diversity and freedom.

This is the fourth event in a series produced by SFCM, UCSF MAC and GBHI. It will take place during Addressing Health Disparities, a virtual conference hosted by the Alzheimer's Association.

Presenters:

Amelie Anna headshot
Amelie Anna

Percussionist, Vocalist | SFCM

Maria Carillo headshot
Maria Carillo

Chief Science Officer | Alzheimer's Association

Jennie Gubner headshot
Jennie Gubner

Ethnomusicologist | University of Arizona;
Atlantic Fellow

Jason Hainsworth
Jason Hainsworth

Executive Director Roots, Jazz, and American Music | SFCM;
Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | SFCM;
Jazz Saxophone

Kai Kennedy headshot
Kai Kennedy

Physical Therapist | UCSF;
GBHI Faculty;
Atlantic Fellow

Josh Kornbluth headshot
Josh Kornbluth

Performer, Writer, Film- & Video-Maker;
Atlantic Fellow

Serggio Lanata headshot
Serggio Lanata

Neurologist | UCSF;
GBHI Faculty

Bruce Miller Headshot
Bruce Miller

Co-Director | Global Brain Health Institute;
Director | UCSF Memory and Aging Center

Scott Pingel headshot
Scott Pingel

Principal Bass | San Francisco Symphony;
SFCM Faculty

David Stull Headshot
David Stull

President | SFCM

Victor Valcour headshot
Victor Valcour

Executive Director | GBHI;
Geriatrician | UCSF Memory and Aging Center

Jennifer Yokoyama headshot
Jennifer Yokoyama

Neurogeneticist | UCSF;
GBHI Faculty

SFCM, UCSF, & GBHI

History of Partnership

June 2019:

The collaboration with SFCM was launched with “Unravelling Bolero: A Discussion Around the Brain Science of Creativity” at SFCM's Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall. Maestro Joseph Young, music director of the Berkeley Symphony, led a full orchestra in Maurice Ravel’s Boléro.


February 2020:

This was followed by “The Other Side of the Brain: Exploring Emotion and Music in Dyslexia”. 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 (Dies Irae) by an SFCM student (Anthony Carson) for voice and piano at SFCM's Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall. 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.


November 2020:

The Last Dance: Music, Improvisation & the Resilient Brain” 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.

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.


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.


October 2022:

“Sleep and Dreams: Music, Neuroscience and Stories of Slumber” was held in Hume Hall at SFCM, and hosted special guests the Global Brain Health Institute, and The Nocturnists, a community of healthcare workers celebrating humanity through storytelling. Through live music and visual art, scientific stories, studies, and original compositions, the event held a goal of stimulating ideas about sleep and the intersection of music and dreams.

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.