As the owner of Harford Music & Arts, a local theater production company and music academy in Bel Air, MD, I see, first hand, the VERY real and life-long benefits of those who participate in the performing arts.
I am a performer, composer, and conductor of music for more than 40 years; professionally for 30 years. Additionally, for the last 25 years, I’ve performed professionally and as an amateur as an actor, director, writer, and composer for theater, film, TV, and video games. I’ve been around the block a bit and am compelled to impart all of those years of experience to parents with young people. I’m a dad with a neurodivergent child who has witnessed a shy young boy blossom into a young adult with an abundance of confidence and social awareness that eluded him for years.
“Music tells us things – social things, psychological things, physical things about how we feel and perceive our bodies – in a way that other art forms can't”
– David Byrne (2012), How Music Works
Theater and music creates better humans. It really is that simple. There are studies upon studies loaded with unbiased empirical data to prove the benefits of music and performing (NIH Library). Particularly powerful is the effect noticed on those suffering from neurological disorders like, Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke, and epilepsy. Research has also shown that singing music in rehearsals lowers cortisol levels and, thusly, reduces stress and anxiety in people of all ages. Specifically for young people, participating in music and theater reduces stress, anxiety, and average BMI (body mass index), and promotes confidence, self-esteem, mood, and social and cultural inclusion.
In 2024, neuroscientists at Virginia Tech performed a study on musical theater and those with disabilities. They measured brain activity during times of rehearsal and performance and found that “the surveys and brain activity data showed positive effects on both behavior and the brain. On the behavior side, musical theatre and the social connection it provided drove a significant decrease in anxiety, especially in forms like separation anxiety and social phobia (Suzanne Irby, 2024)."
“From my perspective, musicals offer my children an insight into other cultures and perspectives. The stories are often uplifting and illustrate the best of humankind. My children are challenged to learn to memorize a large amount of information, including lyrics, diction, intonation, rhythm, choreography, and blocking. And yet, the challenge of putting together a beautiful story with their peers pushes them beyond what they might have ever imagined. It’s an amazing process to watch.”
- Jenine Brown, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Music Theory The Peabody Conservatory
There are so many wonderful opportunities for the arts in our area. Find a production company that works for you and your family and try it out! Harford Music & Arts offers year around programs and specialized summer camps in voice and theater for all school aged children.
For information about our classes, productions, camps, and shows, visit www.HarfordMusicandArts.com
This article is sponsored by Harford Music & Arts.
