In celebration of the University of North Dakota’s relaunched Music Therapy program, the UND Music Department hosted guest lecturer Dr. Daniel Levitin on Tuesday, Sept. 23. After a decade long pause, the Music Therapy program is finally back and being welcomed in by neuroscientist, author, and musician Dr. Levitin was the perfect launch. The lecture was free and open to the public, intended to spread the word about the program and what music therapy is along with honoring the first students of the program and the new faculty involved in its development. 

Before Dr. Levitin’s lecture began, there was an introduction led by Director of Music Therapy, Carly Flaagan. During this introduction she explained what music therapy is and how it fits into UND’s philosophies. Along with this, she led a demonstration of music as therapy by asking for audience participation in creating music with current music therapy students. 

Dr. Levitin’s lecture began with explaining what is currently known about music therapy and its applications. There are many misconceptions about the field, and he wants to clear that up. He shared that music has calming effects, but not just any music or any specific genre. What is most effective for calming one person depends on their personal taste. He shared that music that an individual finds relaxing can be equal to the effectiveness of using valium before surgery. 

He went on to explain specific cases in which music therapy has helped individuals. He explained that through music therapy people have been able to regain their ability to speak after losing it. They do this through first singing to music they like and then eventually communicating through song until they build up their ability to speak. He says that “music is a language of emotions.” 

Along with this, Dr. Levitin explained that music can have great effects on individuals experiencing memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Music that is important to us, specifically songs from our formative years, can stick with us and are usually the last to go. Because of this it can help rebuild memories that were once lost. 

A lot of work done by music therapists is mental, but it can be physical as well. Dr. Levitin shared that many individuals have been able to regain mobility through music. He shared a specific example of one older individual who lost his ability to walk and was able to regain mobility and independence through practicing walking to a steady beat. 

After sharing images of brain scans from multiple individuals listening to the same music Dr. Levitin said, “When people listen to music, their brain waves literally synchronize.” This shows that the way in which our brains react to music can bring us together in ways we may not have ever considered. 

Dr. Levitin closed out his lecture with a personal story in which he saw the effects of music as therapy firsthand with one of his close friends. He got to know Joni Mitchell well over time. In 2015 she suffered a brain aneurysm that almost took her life and did take her mobility and ability to speak. During one of his visits with her after the accident he noticed her react slightly to music being played in the distance. He recommended that her caretakers play the CD that she had created years prior that held her favorite songs. Eventually, Mitchell began to make great improvements, and he believes this is because of music. 

Music therapy and music in medicine can do great things for our world. UND recognizes this and that is why they have been supportive of the relaunching of this program. The music therapy program is just getting started but all those involved, faculty and students, are already making great strides to creating a lasting impact.

Nora Lee is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].