Workshop looks at music’s impact on the brain

North Valley Music School is holding a workshop focusing on the impact of music on the brain.

The free event called “Your Brain on Music” is Saturday, April 15 at the Whitefish Community Library at 11 a.m. and is presented by Diane Volkman, a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music.

Volkman’s presentation will explore the importance of formal music training with the brain in mind and discuss these topics: Musical Memory, Muscle Memory, Listening Skills, Rhythm, Beat and Pulse, Music Notation and Music theory, and Musical Development.

“Formal music lessons have positive impacts on our brains,” says Volkman. “How do music teachers incorporate these understandings and move their focus from teaching the student to teaching with the brain in mind? What musical skills can be enhanced and addressed to strengthen of the student's neural networks? These questions and more will be discussed during the presentation.”

Volkman was a member of the Kalispell Area Music Teacher Association when it was first organized in 1977 and became a member of Montana State Music Teacher Association and the national association in 1979. In 1987, she began studying with master teacher, Kay Lund of Whitefish.

Volkman’s performances include MSMTA state conferences, KAMTA teachers' recitals, accompanying, and performing all over Montana with her duet partner of almost 30 years, Marty Palmite. Volkman has judged many piano festivals in the Northwest as well. She furthered her education in 2000 and earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Providence in 2003. Volkman is retired from teaching general music but still maintains a private piano studio.

The event is free and open to the public thanks to a grant from Humanities Montana.

Library doors open at 10:30 a.m. for the 11 a.m. presentation. More information can be found at northvalleymusicschool.org or by calling 406-862-8074.