The Cognitive Neuroscience of Musical Improvisation and “Feel”

Saturday, May 26, 9:00 AM–10:30 AM

Our panelists will engage in a discussion of musical improvisation and “feel” or “groove” in music. We’ll discuss the neural, cognitive, and musical education underpinnings, woven in with a consideration of how performers approach the topic. The panel consists of psychological scientists who are performers, and a world-class performer who has a longtime interest and familiarity with cognitive science.

Daniel Levitin is Founding Dean of Arts & Humanities at the Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute in San Francisco; Distinguished Faculty Fellow at UC Berkeley, and James McGill Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience and Music at McGill University. His research focuses on musical memory, and the neural correlates of musical structure, emotion, using neuroimaging, psychophysics, and neurochemical approaches. He is also a record producer and musician, and has performed with Bobby McFerrin, Mel Tormé, Victor Wooten, Rosanne Cash, Art Blakey, Blue Oyster Cult, and Neil Young.

Jessica Grahn is Associate Professor at the University of Western Ontario. She investigates the role of the motor system in rhythm and beat perception, as well as how music affects cognitive abilities. Her applied work tests patients with Parkinson’s disease to examine how musical rhythm helps gait disorders.

Lily Chen-Hafteck is Professor of Music Education and Chair of Faculty at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music at University of California, Los Angeles. Her research focuses on early childhood music education and the influence of multicultural music on students’ cultural understanding, involving Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Kenya, USA.

Petr Janata is a Professor at UC Davis. He received his B.A. from Reed College and his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. His research focuses on how brain mechanisms of expectation, imagery, sensorimotor coupling, memory, and emotion support strong experiences with music, such as music-evoked remembering and being in the groove.

Larry Klein is a Grammy Award-winning record producer, songwriter, and bassist. He has produced renowned records by Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin, Walter Becker and Herbie Hancock. He has performed with Freddie Hubbard, Joni Mitchell, Carmen McRae, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Bobby McFerrin, Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Peter Gabriel, Don Henley, Lindsey Buckingham, and Randy Newman.

APS 30th Anniversary Concert

Saturday, May 26, 7:00 PM–8:30 PM

Join your APS friends and colleagues as we rock out to celebrate 30 years of APS at the 30th Anniversary Concert. There will be live music, light bites, and lots of chances to make lifelong connections. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!

Meet the Band:

Dale Boyle, Lead Guitar and Vocals
Steve Sloman, Rhythm Guitar
Jessica Grahn, Keyboards
Bob Levenson, Saxophone
Maarten Bos, Bass
Bianca Levy, Drums
Carlos Reyes, Violin

Special thanks to Dan Levitin for coordinating this special event.

Dale Boyle at the 2012 concert

Attendees rock out at the 2012 concert

Bob Levenson and Dan Levitin at the 2012 concert