Thank you for making our first-ever Music & Health Conference unforgettable!
On September 22 2025, more than 70 researchers, clinicians, musicians, and innovators gathered in Los Angeles, CA for the inaugural Music & Health Conference — exploring how music transforms health.
September 22, 2025 • UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center • 70+ attendees • 3 research presentation sessions • 5 performances
2025 BY THE NUMBERS
- 70+ attendees across music, medicine, and research
- 3 research presentation sessions
- 5 live performances
- 1 groundbreaking day of collaboration and innovation
HIGHLIGHTS TIMELINE
Morning
• Opening & Welcome — Hosted by UCIPT (Dr. Sean Young). Performances by Clover String Quartet and a live sound bath by Erika A. Segura set a reflective tone.
• Session 1: Music & Mental Health — Speakers explored evidence‑based approaches and the role of music in mental health.
Midday
• Session 2: Neuroscience & Cognitive Health — Presenters shared new findings on rhythm, memory, and how the brain processes sound.
• Lunch with Live Music Performances — Featuring guitarist Scotty Bramer, a jazz set by Jake and Duc, and a collaborative performance by Dr. Sean Young and Dr. Eric Lindsay.
Afternoon
• Session 3: Applied Music, Technology & Innovation — Panelists and creators discussed digital tools, AI‑assisted composition, and how technology can scale access to therapeutic music.
• Panel Discussion & Breakouts — Attendees formed working groups to identify priorities for research funding, ethical AI, and long‑term collaboration.
Panel Discussion
• Kamran Fallahpour, PhD — Founder & Director of Brain Resource Center
• Kurt Qing, MD —UCI Health neurologist, Assistant Professor of Neurology, UC Irvine
• Lisa Gibbs, MD — Professor and Chair, Family Medicine and Geriatrics; Chief Population Health Officer, UCI Health
SPEAKERS & PERFORMERS
Opening Remarks
• Sean Young, PhD
Session 1 — Music & Mental Health
• Daniel Bowling, PhD — Stanford University
• Beatriz Ilari, PhD — University of Southern California
• Ami Kunimura, PhD, MT‑BC — The Self‑Care Institute
Session 2 — Neuroscience & Cognitive Health
• Ed Large, PhD — University of Connecticut
• Elizabeth Krasnoff, PhD —California Institute for Human Science
• Valery Quinonez, PhD — University of California, Irvine
Session 3 — Applied Music, Technology & Innovation
• Eric Lindsay, PhD — University of California, Irvine
• Arjuna Ugarte, MD —University of California, Irvine
• Lisa Gibbs, MD — University of California, Irvine
Performances
• Clover String Quartet
• Erika A. Segura — Sound Bath Studio
• Scotty Bramer
• Jake and Duc
• Dr. Sean Young and Dr. Eric Lindsay
PHOTO GALLERY OF RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY OF MUSIC PERFORMANCES
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
We are deeply grateful to the partners who supported the inaugural Music & Health Conference.
Gold Sponsors
• Meyer and Renee Luskin
Silver Sponsors
- Vital
- The Sound Bath Studio, Erika Segura
- Brain Resource Center, New York City
- Life Science Technology
Interested in supporting 2026? Contact: hopeuci@hs.uci.edu