Institute for Music and Neurologic Function

01/09/2026

As highlighted in this AARP article, music isn't a short-term fix for people living with dementia. We can use music to not only stimulate areas of the brain that are still available and functional but enhance the stimulation of those areas, so the person is able to constantly recall and constantly connect.

How music therapists help bring music and harmony into everyday caregiving​​

11/24/2025

Thank you to our wonderful panelists, our 2025 Music Has Power® awardee Maejor, and everyone who joined us last Friday for the Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards. Your presence, insight, and energy made this an extraordinary gathering of science, practice, and community!

We’re so glad you could be part of this important day as we explored how music supports brain health, emotional well-being, and quality of life.

11/19/2025

The countdown is on: only 3 days until the Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards! This event brings together leading scientists, clinicians, and artists to examine how music influences the brain and supports mental health.

Join us on Friday, November 21 at The Glasshouse in NYC for research-driven presentations, live performance, and meaningful connection!

https://www.imnf.org/2025-music-has-power-symposium-awards

11/13/2025

11/11/2025

We’re so excited for this year’s Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards! Join us as we bring together leading experts, innovators, and believers in the healing power of music. Learn more:

Be part of an event that blends science, wellness, and celebration - learn from leaders in music & brain health and support IMNF’s work advancing the healing power of music.

11/06/2025

Scholarships Available for the Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards!
Want to attend but need financial help? We have a limited number of scholarships to make it easier for everyone to join this inspiring day, exploring the power of music in health and honoring leaders in the field. Email imnf@wartburg.org to discuss options based on your needs. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and celebrate!

Be part of an event that blends science, wellness, and celebration - learn from leaders in music & brain health and support IMNF’s work advancing the healing power of music.

11/05/2025

Great news! Joanna Peña-Bickley (Vibes AI) will join this year’s Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards as a panelist. Known as the mother of cognitive experience design and a pioneer in generative AI, her award-winning work has led to patented inventions and transformations at some of the world’s most recognized companies. Today, she’s advancing neurotechnology for cognitive health - building AI platforms that translate neuroscience insights into accessible tools for everyday brain health. We hope you can join us!

Joanna Peña-Bickley (Vibes AI) joins the Music Has Power® Symposium to explore how human-centered design, AI, and neurotechnology can scale music-based interventions and translate innovation into everyday care.

11/04/2025

On 11/11, our 2025 Music Has Power® Awardee Maejor and the Frequency School launch World Frequency Day - a global celebration of sound and well-being. Join the 11/11 activities, then meet Maejor in NYC on 11/21 at IMNF’s Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards! Learn more: https://www.imnf.org/2025-music-has-power-symposium-awards

10/24/2025

We’re excited to welcome Pablo Ripollés as a panelist at this year’s Music Has Power® Symposium. Dr. Ripollés is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Music Technology at New York University (NYU), where he leads the Ripollés Lab. He also serves as Associate Director of NYU’s Music and Audio Research Laboratory (MARL), an interdisciplinary center at the intersection of machine learning, cognitive neuroscience, and music technology.

We hope you can join us!

NYU’s Dr. Pablo Ripollés joins the Music Has Power® Symposium to examine how music engages reward and memory systems - and how these mechanisms translate to health and well-being.

10/16/2025

Just announced: the Music Has Power® Symposium lineup - three expert-led panels on the neuroscience of music & emotion, music therapy and music-based interventions, and music-enabled technologies. Speakers include Daniel Liu Bowling, PhD (Stanford), Pablo Ripollés, PhD (NYU), Ellen McCreedy, PhD (Brown), Anna Palumbo, PhD, LCAT, MT-BC (NYU/Nordoff-Robbins), and Joanna Peña-Bickley (Vibes AI). Continuing education credits available for attendees. Learn more and register:

Be part of an event that blends science, wellness, and celebration - learn from leaders in music & brain health and support IMNF’s work advancing the healing power of music.

09/25/2025

Things are heating up for this year’s Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards on November 21st! We’ve secured The Glasshouse (Chelsea, NYC) - a gorgeous, light-filled space perfect for our community and an immersive wellness moment after the symposium, offered by Grammy-nominated producer Maejor, this year’s Music Has Power Honoree.

This year’s symposium focuses on music and mental health, with three panels: the neuroscience of music and emotion; music therapy and other music-based interventions; and music-based technologies.

We hope to see you there!

Be part of an event that blends science, wellness, and celebration - learn from leaders in music & brain health and support IMNF’s work advancing the healing power of music.

09/04/2025

In recognition of World Alzheimer’s Month, we’re offering 50% off our on-demand training, Best Practices from Music Therapy for Using Music in Senior Wellness and Healthcare. The course shares research-based techniques used by music therapists and is ideal for therapists, care staff, family caregivers, artists, and musicians who want to make music part of everyday care. Help us spread the word!
Code: MUSIC50 • Valid: Sept 1–30

Earn your Senior Care Music Specialist Certification and bring the transformative power of music to your care setting. This on-demand course bridges the gap between music therapy and everyday care, providing evidence-based strategies to enhance the well-being of older adults.