Research

The MUSIC Research Cluster is dedicated to the interdisciplinary exploration of music cognition. Our research focuses on three primary areas:

1. Music in Therapeutic and Clinical Settings: We investigate how music can support treatment for neurodegenerative conditions, neurodivergences, and psychiatric disorders. Our work includes exploring music’s effects on cognitive and motor functions in conditions like Parkinson's disease, where music-based therapies show promise in enhancing quality of life through improved movement, emotional well-being, and cognitive function.
2. Music Learning and Neurodivergence: We are pioneering research into how neurodivergences—such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)—impact music learning. By examining the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent learners in secondary and post-secondary musical education, we aim to develop musically-related neurodivergences diagnostic tools and educational strategies that can better support these students in both music theory and aural skills.
3. Music and Language Acquisition and Processing: Our studies explore the intersection of music and language, focusing on how rhythm and pitch in music interact with language processing and acquisition. Prior research has examined connections between musical rhythm and the rhythmic properties of spoken language, the impact of native language or bilingualism on perceived musical complexity, and the relationship between tonal languages and pitch structures in musical composition. Given the shared neural processing areas for music and language, our research offers broader insights into auditory processing and the mutual influence of music and language in the brain, augmenting cluster members' existing research programs.