Renée Fleming: Music and Mind/Arts in Health

Renée Fleming, soprano, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health
Claudius Conrad, MD, PhD. PhD, FACS, FSSO, Associate Dean for Research & Innovation, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Dora N. Watkins, MSW, PhD Candidate, School of Social Work, and Director of Campus Engagement, Krannert Center

Moderated by Mike Ross, Director, Krannert Center

In addition to her performance activity, Renée Fleming tirelessly advocates for research at the intersection of arts, health, and neuroscience. Her new anthology, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, is a collection of essays from leading scientists, artists, creative arts therapists, educators, and physicians about the powerful impacts of music and the arts on health and the human experience.

A lifelong pianist and Steinway Artist, surgeon Claudius Conrad spends part of his research time investigating the biological changes music triggers that promote healing in patients, as well as the use of music in the operating room. He also seeks to restore an ancient tradition — the once common connection between music and how physicians train and practice.

Dora Watkins is the creator of The Healing Project, which gives voice to people—specifically to Black women and other Women of Color—with trauma histories to share their stories and experience collective healing through storytelling, poetry, photography, dance, music, and visual arts. Beyond the immediate impact on individuals, the stories shared are intended to inform research, practice, intervention and prevention programs, and policy efforts, based on perspectives that are often left out of scientific inquiry.

Following the presentation, Renée Fleming will sign copies of her book in the Krannert Center lobby..