The Science of Music and Learning: Health, Education and Policy

Thursday, June 11, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM University of Southern California | Cammilleri Hall | Brain and Creativity Institute 00:00:00 - Welcome Remarks • Dr. Assal Habibi (USC) • Renée Fleming 00:08:19 - Session I: What Do We Know Now? Where Are We Headed? An exploration of current findings and emerging directions in the science of music, learning, & development. Chair: Vani Dewan (USC) • Dr. Haley Kragness (Bucknell University) • Dr. Tal Chen Rabinowitch (University of Haifa) • Dr. Steven Holochwost (City University of New York) • Dr. Miriam Lense (Vanderbilt University) 01:26:53 - Keynote Address Dr. Virginia Penhune (Concordia University) 02:27:11 - Musical Interlude Giovanni Piacentini and Meagan Martin 02:48:35 - Address by BCI Founder Antonio Damasio founder and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute (BCI) 02:52:27 - Session II: Translation and Clinical Implications; An exploration of the clinical, educational, and community applications of music research. Chair: Jed Villanueva (USC) • Dr. Kevin Jamey (USC) • Dr. Ted Zanto (UCSF) • Dr. Karen Barrett (UCSF) • Dr. Jennifer Bugos (University of South Florida) 04:12:21 - State of Arts Education in California Dr. Veronica Alvarez (Create CA) 04:25:00 - Sound Health Alliance Dr. Joy Allen (Berklee College of Music) 04:41:10 - Funding Priorities and the Future of Arts & Health Research Chair: Dr. William Coppola (USC) • Dr. Wen Chen (NCCIH/NIH) • Sunil Iyengar (NEA) • Kevin Klock (Foundation for the NIH) 05:27:43 - Public Communication, Storytelling, and Dissemination of Results Chair: Renée Fleming • Tooshar Swain (Americans for the Arts) • Cayley Tull (Tullman Family Office) • Andrew MacPherson (Healthsperien)