Brandon Chien
Class of 2027Irvine, CA
About
Projects
- "The Effects of Music Education on Brain Development, Academic Performance, Mood, and Behavior" with mentor Shaylyn (July 31, 2025)
Project Portfolio
The Effects of Music Education on Brain Development, Academic Performance, Mood, and Behavior
Started Jan. 16, 2025
Abstract or project description
Music education is a wide field of study that encompasses learning musical concepts, instruments, and appreciating music. The field equips individuals with crucial skills, which activate and grow various areas of the brain. This review paper provides an in-depth perspective on the effects of music education on brain development, academic performance, mood, and behavior to answer the question regarding the influence of music education in humanistic development. First, we review the neuroscience behind how musical experiences shape different regions of the brain during childhood. Next, we explore the current usage and potential of music education in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's through music therapy. Overall, music education has been shown to be a powerful tool as indicated by the structural changes in different areas of the brain, excelled performance in academics in children, and its influence on how people experience emotions.