My biggest takeaway from this session was an unexpected meeting of minds and a new connection into the future.
I have been following the work of industry leaders like Simone Dalla Bella who research the intersection of music and treatment since I was in a car accident when I was 18. I was told by doctors that I would never fully recover from the head injury and that I would need to accept having a disability. This didn’t feel right to me, and over time I started to train my brain, using music as a foundation.
I struggled to read music, but as my body healed, I was able to return to performing. I had to work harder than my peers at the Conservatorium on the technical components, but I excelled when it came to performance because that was based on caring for my audience, engaging them, and creating a beautiful experience for them.
The work of researchers like Dr Norman Doidge changed everything for me because it validated an intuition I had: my brain could heal. It could rewire. While I may never see things the same way as before the accident, I gained a new perspective on the world and on music.
Fast forward to SXSW, and I had the privilege of moderating a panel featuring some of the world-leading minds in a field that saved me, my mind, and my love of music.
A huge thank you to our incredible panellists:
- Professor Felicity Baker, Professor of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne, whose research explores the role of music therapy in areas including neurorehabilitation, dementia, and wellbeing.
- Dr Simone Dalla Bella, researcher at BRAMS (International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research), University of Montreal, whose work explores the relationship between music, the brain, and human behaviour.
- Virginie Chelles, from Tuned Global, bringing expertise at the intersection of music technology, healthcare innovation, and the practical application of music-based solutions.
It was a privilege to facilitate a conversation with such a diverse perspectives across research, technology, and healthcare to explore the future of music as a tool for wellbeing. And since meeting at this event I continue to now work with the amazing researcher Dr Simone Dalla Bella. I am honoured!
So what did I learn?
Key Insights
- The future of healthcare is not only about treating symptoms, but understanding humans – Music reminds us that wellbeing is deeply connected to emotion, identity, memory, and belonging. The next wave of innovation will come from solutions that recognise the whole person.
- Science and creativity create powerful partnerships – When research, technology, and human creativity come together, we discover new ways to support health and wellbeing. Innovation happens when different disciplines learn to speak each other’s language.
- Connection is a fundamental part of human health – Music has the unique ability to synchronise us, regulate emotion, and create shared experiences. In a world driven by technology, human connection remains one of our most powerful tools for wellbeing.
