Name:Juan Huang

School/Affiliation:Johns Hopkins University

Co-Authors:Jingyi Wang, Yifan Xu, Linmu Sui, and Xiaoqin Wang

Virtual or In-person:In-person

Abstract:

Traditional research on music perception has primarily taken place in controlled laboratory settings, which limits our understanding of music’s role in natural environments.
However, recent advancements in portable recording technologies such as fNIRS, EEG, and BIOPAC now make it possible to study neural and biological responses to music in real-world settings. We have conducted experiments in concert halls during live performances, enabling the investigation of music's social functions and group dynamics. These experiments aim to explore the neural mechanisms underlying music perception, creation, and performance by synchronizing brain and physiological responses from a group of participants in live music settings. This naturalistic approach provides insights into important aspects such as music’s social role, therapeutic effects, and its ability to mediate communication and emotional connections. Two examples from our recent studies on music neuroscience in naturalistic settings will be presented.