A Symphony of Vitality featuring MacPhail Teaching Artist Andrea Leap

Andrea Leap sat down with Sue Baldani of Minneapolis Lakes Lifestyle magazine to talk about the benefits of music learning for adults.

“…As a singing instructor with MacPhail and other institutions for almost 20 years, Andrea has seen how learning can change people’s lives. ‘They realize that doors are not closed that they thought were closed. It’s also really fun to see people grow in personal ways too. I watch them become more generous with one another when they’re working together and gaining confidence. I also love watching the courage of people doing something new and appreciating the courage of others doing it. Is there anything more beautiful?’

There are many cognitive benefits of studying and learning something new, especially when it comes to music. ‘Studies show that music strengthens and develops memory, and memory pathways,’ she says. ‘Its rhythmic piece, its melodic piece, the text piece, and the instrument piece – it sort of splits into all those things so that your brain can process it and then it all comes back together and arrives at the destination. What that means for people who are concerned about cognitive decline and memory, is that it essentially provides your brain with a detour, another route to remembering.’

There are also physical benefits, says Andrea…”

View the full article on Minneapolis Lakes Lifestyle