Melodies of Hope: Music, Dementia, and Brain Science

Join us for an informative and thought-provoking discussion exploring the connection between music and the brain, inspired by The Dallas Opera’s premiere of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice. This includes a conversation on the power of music in supporting cognition and building connections with those suffering from dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease, and other types of memory disorders.

In this new TDO production, Director Joachim Schamberger reimagines the Greek myth, placing Orpheus as the grieving husband and caretaker who uses music to connect with his beloved Eurydice, who is suffering from dementia. A brief musical performance depicting a scene from the opera will be part of the evening’s events.

Before that, a distinguished panel of brain health physicians and researchers from UT Southwestern will explore the fascinating phenomenon of music and memory and how the two are connected so deeply in the human brain. Moderated by W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost and Dean, UT Southwestern Medical School.

UT Southwestern Medical Center Panelists:

• William Dauer, M.D.
  Professor and Director, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute
  Professor of Neuroscience and Neurology

• Marc Diamond, M.D.
  Professor and Director, Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases
  Professor of Neurology, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute

• Brendon Kelley, M.D.
  Professor and Clinical Vice-Chair, Department of Neurology, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute

• Sarah Shahmoradian, Ph.D.
  Assistant Professor, Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Biophysics, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute

Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia today. And according to the National Alzheimer’s Association, there are more than 11 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S. This event will provide information, new research, and findings on how music therapy may help patients and those who care for them. Music therapy has been proven to help with memory cognition and building connections with those suffering from dementia.

This event is for those affected by this disease, including caregivers and those who love and support them. An understanding of opera is not required. RSVP for up to 4 free tickets using the link below. Program length is approximately 90 minutes.