Moving and Grooving: Music and the Brain

On Jan 28th, we present : "Moving and Grooving: Music and the Brain" by Prof. Jessica Grahn, PhD.

Why does music make us move — even before we can walk, talk, or understand the world? Why does a beat feel in our bones? And can music actually change the brain? In Moving and Grooving: Music and the Brain, neuroscientist Prof. Jessica Grahn takes us inside the science of one of humanity’s most universal behaviors: making and listening to music.

She'll explore what happens in the brain from infancy through older adulthood, and why even babies can sometimes keep rhythm better than grown-ups (yes, really).

You’ll learn how music weaves together motor control, emotion, memory, and social connection — and whether musical training can literally reshape our brain’s structure.

Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and evolutionary theories, Grahn dives into big questions:

• Can rhythm help patients with brain damage or Parkinson’s regain movement?
• Does music make us “smarter”?
• And why did music evolve at all?

💡 About the incredible Professor Jessica Grahn, PhD.

Dr. Jessica Grahn is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Western University, internationally recognized for her work on rhythm, movement, and the brain. Her research explores how music makes us move, how musical training alters brain structure, and how rhythm-based therapies can support patients with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

She holds degrees in Neuroscience and Piano Performance from Northwestern University and a PhD from Cambridge University. A member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars and past President of the Society for Music Perception and Cognition, she has received major awards from Canadian research councils, the James S. McDonnell Foundation, and the British Science Association.

📅 Date: January 28, 2025
🕡 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Near the AGO, Downtown Toronto
🎤 Speaker: Prof. Jessica Grahn, PhD

This is an accessible, evidence-based journey into how music shapes the brain — and how the brain shapes our experience of music. Expect fascinating studies, surprising insights, and a new appreciation for the soundtrack of your life.

🎟 Tickets sell out fast!

❗️Please note: the location in this eventbrite page is NOT the exact location, only indicates the general area. The exact location will be emailed to you via the email you use while purchasing the ticket. Keep an eye out in your inbox or spam folder a couple weeks before the event.