Explore the fascinating science behind music’s impact on brain development, creativity, critical thinking and wellness
From the Top believes that connecting music to ideas and societal issues is a powerful tool to help us better understand our world. We partnered with our friends at USC Brain and Creativity Institute & USC Center for Music, Brain and Society to explore the science behind music’s impact on the brain and its connection to wellness, with a series of transformative activities and media.
“My high school experience has revolved around my two passions: music and neuroscience. From the Top’s Music and the Brain program has felt like a culmination of these two interests.”
– 17-year-old pianist Jascha Silberstein from Mercer Island, Washington
A Look Inside the Residency
In March 2025, 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.
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 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.
Meet Evan
“I’ve always thought of music and STEM as totally separate. Now I see they’re beautifully connected,” reflects From the Top Fellow Evan Ding, 17, from West Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Meet Evan, a pianist and scientist, who was one of eleven Fellows to participate in the Music and the Brain residency.
Meet Evan, a pianist and scientist, who was one of eleven Fellows to participate in the Music and the Brain residency.
Music and the Brain Broadcast: Part 1
Music is powerful stuff. It can transform a mood in an instant and can help us connect deeply with the world around us. But how exactly does music accomplish all of this?
We’ll meet five remarkable teenagers from across the country who are gifted in both music and neuroscience. Over the last six months, they’ve been working with researchers at USC to investigate how music affects the brain. And of course, we’ll also hear some thought-provoking and awe-inspiring performances!
We’ll meet five remarkable teenagers from across the country who are gifted in both music and neuroscience. Over the last six months, they’ve been working with researchers at USC to investigate how music affects the brain. And of course, we’ll also hear some thought-provoking and awe-inspiring performances!
Music and the Brain Broadcast: Part 2
Why is music so powerful to the human experience?
Along with performing, the six young musicians we meet today have spent a week learning from Dr. Assal Habibi and her team of neuroscientists. We’ve all gained a better understanding of how music affects cognitive development and the important role it can play in the prevention and treatment of memory loss and brain disease.
Along with performing, the six young musicians we meet today have spent a week learning from Dr. Assal Habibi and her team of neuroscientists. We’ve all gained a better understanding of how music affects cognitive development and the important role it can play in the prevention and treatment of memory loss and brain disease.
Research Mentorships & Neuroimaging Project
From the Top musicians were paired with leading researchers and faculty from USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute and USC's Center for Music, Brain and Society to investigate the science behind music’s effects on the brain. Their projects studied music's effects on cortisol and stress, how micro-tonal music might impact people with depression, and more.
Using cutting-edge MRI and EEG techniques, From the Top and USC Brain and Creativity Institute is exploring how intensive, high-quality music training shapes adolescent brain development.
Using cutting-edge MRI and EEG techniques, From the Top and USC Brain and Creativity Institute is exploring how intensive, high-quality music training shapes adolescent brain development.
Live Concert & Youth Symposium
In March 2025, We hosted a live concert event featuring From the Top’s magnificent young musicians and host Peter Dugan at Cammilleri Hall at the Brain and Creativity Institute at University of Southern California. Through performance, storytelling, and multimedia we dove into the fascinating world of music, the brain, and wellness for a capacity audience.
The following day, we hosted 100 young musicians ages 13-21 for a Youth Symposium that was full of discovery and exploration of the crossroads between music and neuroscience.
The following day, we hosted 100 young musicians ages 13-21 for a Youth Symposium that was full of discovery and exploration of the crossroads between music and neuroscience.
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.
Presented by From the Top in partnership with USC Brain and Creativity Institute & USC Center for Music, Brain and Society.
