Music/Audio and Health
Alexandra Rieger, Opera of the Future July 29, 2-3pm ET
For more than 20 years, the Opera of the Future (OoF) group has been devoted to finding ways to use music and audio to enhance health and wellbeing, as well as to diagnose and treat disease. OoF developed a comprehensive theory of music, mind, and health; explored the potential of the voice as a platform for healing meditation and for treating such health conditions as stuttering; and developed novel techniques for using 40 Hz. Gamma frequencies to stimulate and heal the brain and potentially reverse Alzheimer’s disease, embedding such frequencies in attractive musical compositions. In this session, OoF PhD student Alexandra Rieger will provide context and background for the group’s work in music/audio and health, with an emphasis on her recent development of first-of-their kind MediMusical Instruments that combine musical expression and skill with improved medical diagnosis/treatment and patient satisfaction/engagement. Alexandra will discuss an ongoing collaboration with Mass General Hospital's Vascular Neurology department as well as potential future applications, followed by Q+A.