What the Experts Say

Music learning is such an essential part of life. It is an escapable aspect of humanity, integral to every culture. Regarding the impact of playing music (even as opposed to just listening to music), this is what the experts have to say:

Playing music engages the human mind in spectacular ways. Start the video for an in-depth look into how music lessons can help change the actual structure of your brain

"The musician is constantly adjusting decisions on tempo, tone, style, rhythm, phrasing, and feeling-training the brain to become incredibly good at organizing and conducting numerous activities at once. Dedicated practice of this orchestration can have a great payoff for lifelong attentional skills, intelligence, and an ability of self-knowledge and expression."

Ratey John J.,MD. A User's Guide to the Brain. New York: Pantheon Books, 2001

"A McGill University study found that pattern recognition and mental representation scores improved significantly for students given piano instruction over a three-year period. They also found that self-esteem and musical skills measures improved for the students given piano instruction."

Contra-Giomi, E. (1998, April). The McGill Piano Project: Effects of three years of piano instruction on children's cognitive abilities, academic achievement, and self-esteem

"Students who participated in arts programs in selected elementary and middle schools in New York City showed significant increases in self-esteem and thinking skills."

National Arts Education Research Center, New York University, 1990