Inside the Minds of Young Musicians
A Look Back at From the Top ’s Music and the Brain Residency
In March, From the Top partnered with the University of Southern California’s Brain & Creativity Institute to host Music and the Brain, an extraordinary residency to explore the intersection of music, neuroscience, and well-being.
From the Top Host Peter Dugan interviews Angela Wang, 17, and Erin Liao, 16, for a Music and the Brain broadcast. Credit: Matt Miller.
The residency at USC brought together 11 From the Top Fellows who recorded for the NPR broadcast, performed in a multimedia concert, participated in a brain scan project, and presented research projects to 100 of their peers during a Youth Symposium.
“The past four years of high school have revolved around my two passions: music and neuroscience. FTT’s Music and the Brain program has felt like a culmination of these two interests,” reflected 17-year-old pianist Jascha Silberstein from Mercer Island, Washington.
“The four days of recording, presenting, interviewing, performing, filming, and scanning in an MRI were some of the happiest days of my life. I can remember vividly my excitement after performing Ravel’s Jeux d’eau at USC with a wireless EEG cap displaying my brain activity to the audience. It was almost emotional for me: I got the thrill of playing for a live audience and was able to combine my love for music with science right in front of my eyes.”
Jascha wears an EEG cap for his performance.
From the Top Host Peter Dugan also participated in the MRI brain scan, where he listened to music that he had previously indicated evoked certain feelings, such as nostalgia. Researcher’s studied the brain’s response as he listened. He commented on the broadcast, “This experience has been validating. I’ve always known that music was affecting me positively…but to actually see the data (of how music triggers my brain) has been very moving.”
The Youth Symposium for young musicians ages 13-21 filled the hall to capacity and included expert panels on music therapy, neuroscience, and the cognitive impact of rhythm and nostalgia—plus small group discussions, lively conversations, and a live performance featuring student brainwave visualizations in real time.
The heart of the event came from FTT Fellows, who had been meeting in online sessions since the fall to learn about the intersections of music and neuroscience and plan their own science-based projects. These extraordinary young musicians didn’t just perform—they presented original research proposals, reflected on the mind-body connection in music, and shared how this experience deepened their sense of identity, purpose, and community.
Mikael listens to a presentation during the Youth Symposium.
“One of my biggest takeaways has been how important music is in my own cognitive health. Some of the presentations on how music can trigger pathways in the brain that refer to memory got me thinking about how music might help me in the later stages of my life,” reflected Mikael Malmgren, and 18-year-old trombonost from San Diego, California.“It also has me thinking about what work can I do now with music to ensure that it can take me the farthest in terms of personal health, happiness, and mental health.”
Through it all, Fellows reflected on the powerful connection between mind and music. “It was really exciting to see how the different parts of our brain play into our senses in everyday life,” said flutist Angela Wang, 17, from Diamond Bar, California.
Others spoke about newfound confidence, new friendships, and how the experience opened their eyes to careers that blend performance, research, and healing.
“I’ve always thought of music and STEM as totally separate. Now I see they’re beautifully connected,” commented Fellow Evan Ding, 17, from West Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Fellow and euphonium player Zoie Glosson, 15, from Houston, Texas remarked, “I can’t really describe this experience without tearing up. It’s fantastic to work with people, my age, that have that same passion, that same motivation, same drive, and the same goal as me. It’s been a huge honor. This is the most I have smiled.”
Zoie presents her research project.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” echoed 15-year-old violinist Sophia Zhang from Tenafly, New Jersey. “Being here has helped me bridge my two main interests and passions.”
Programs like Music and the Brain are resource-intensive, requiring collaboration with leading institutions, dedicated mentorship, and individualized support for young artists. This work is only possible thanks to From the Top’s generous community of donors.
From the Top Fellows during the Music and the Brain residency. Credit Matt Miller.
From the Top thanks the Volgenau Foundation for its visionary support of this project.
USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute Music Program thanks the GroW @ Annenberg Foundation in recognition of their support.
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