The Centre for Music and Health (CMH) at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), National University of Singapore (NUS), is the first dedicated research centre in Southeast Asia to spearhead cutting-edge, evidence-based practices that leverage the efficacy of music for health and well-being. 

According to Dr Kat Agres, Assistant Professor at YST and Director of CMH, the NeuroArts Blueprint describes “Neuroarts” as the study of how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the body, brain and behaviour, and how this knowledge is translated into specific practices that advance health and well-being.

_{Dr Kat Agres, Assistant Professor at YST and Director of CMH}

Besides introducing the initiatives of the Centre, the event also showcased performances by the Lorong Boys, a Singapore-based band composed of YST alumni. The group, known for its unique blend of classical music and contemporary genres such as jazz, funk and pop, is currently an Ensemble-in-Residence at YST. 

_{The Lorong Boys leading the audience to clap, snap, sing and move along to the beat} 

“We were all invited to sing, clap and join in the performance earlier – a very simple activity, but one that engages your mind, your hands, your voice and breath, and brings the entire room together in collaboration through music.  Through the Centre for Music and Health, we are excited to explore new ways to harness the power of music to promote health and wellness, and to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve,” said Professor Peter Tornquist, Dean of YST, on the Lorong Boys’ interactive opening performance of Limbo Jazz.

_{Professor Peter Tornquist, Dean of YST}

In another sharing by YST lecturer Dr Khoo Hui Ling, her students are passionate about bringing their musical talents to perform and engage with people from different community groups in Singapore.

Dr Khoo shared, “At the heart of what I teach is community engagement through music. I believe in nurturing our students to listen with the heart. When they listen with the heart, they are compassionate, learn empathy and understand the perspectives of different kinds of audiences. They learn how to address the needs and wants of the different communities around them so that they are socially relevant.”

_{Dr Khoo Hui Ling, Lecturer at YST}

“Witnessing the joy and enthusiasm of the elderly participants during the sessions was a really fulfilling experience for me, both as a musician and as a music student. It is heartening to know that such simple actions can have a very positive impact on people’s lives. I look forward to CMH expanding its outreach in the future and benefitting an even wider range of audiences through these meaningful projects and experiences,” shared Jasmine Ng, a final year music student at YST who also plans and leads engagement programmes.

_{Jasmine Ng, final year music student at YST}

During the panel discussion with Prof Tornquist, Dr Agres and Dr Khoo, a member of the audience asked to distinguish the difference between Neuroarts and music therapy. In response, Dr Agres elaborated, “Music therapy is used by clinicians to meet the patient’s goals in a clinical setting, so it is patient-centric care delivered to meet the individual’s needs. Neuroarts, or Arts for Health, is about better understanding how music impacts the brain, body, and behaviour. We are doing research to build up the knowledge-base, and translating our findings into music practices that improve lives on and off campus.”