Español
A diverse group of high school students are standing and talking on the brightly lit stage of Cammilleri Hall at the Brain and Creativity Institute on USC's campus.
Summer Research Program

Music and the Brain

Location: Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California
Duration: 3 Days (July 8–10, 2026)
Audience: High school students (Grades 10–12) interested in music, neuroscience, and psychology
Cost: $500 (financial assistance available)
Application Due Date: March 15th, 2026

Program will be open to 80 qualified participants

Apply now!

Program Overview:

Summer Research Program: Music and the Brain invites high school students to explore how music engages the mind and body through interactive lessons, lectures, lab tours, guided research activities, and exposure to ongoing research at USC’s Brain and Creativity Institute. Students will meet researchers, musicians, and educators in the field, explore career paths, and learn first-hand how to collect data for scientific research. Hosted by the Center for Music, Brain and Society, the program builds on the institute’s pioneering studies on how musical engagement influences brain development, emotion, and well-being across the lifespan. In addition scientific programming, there will also be opportunities for peer networking, social hour, and attending live musical performances.

 

High school students seated in the audience at Cammilleri Hall, attentively watching a presentation during at the USC Brain and Creativity Institute.

Explore music and the brain

Day 1

A male musician sits at a grand piano on the spotlighted stage of Cammilleri Hall, performing while wearing a non-invasive brain portable EEG headset. The image captures a live demonstration of neural activity measurement during a musical performance, which is displayed large on a screen in the background.

Learn how to research music

Day 2

A graduate student leading a small-group mentorship session in a conference room with high school students at the Brain and Creativity Institute.

Design your own research proposal

Day 3

Organizing Team

Q&A

  • Included: Program fees include all lectures, interactive activities, and course material, breakfast, lunch, snack breaks, and WiFi access.

    NOT Included: Travel, parking, & accommodations NOT included included in the program fees and must be paid separately.

  • All three days will be in-person on USC’s campus. The program will take place in Cammilleri Hall at the Brain and Creativity Institute.

    This is located at USC’s Main Campus:

    3620A McClintock Avenue
    Los Angeles, CA 90089-2921

     

  • All program and financial assistance applications are due March 15th, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

  • All accepted applicants will be notified by April 15th, 2026.

    Upon acceptance, you will receive further instructions regarding next steps. This will include registering and paying a non-refundable deposit by May 1st, 2026.

  • There is limited financial assistance available. When you fill out your application, please indicate that you need financial assistance.

  • Please direct all questions regarding the application process or summer research program, itself, to the Center for Music, Brain, and Society at cmbs@usc.edu.

  • All high school students who are interested in learning more about music, research, and the brain are encouraged to apply.

    You must be able to attend in-person all three days. If you are not able to attend the full event, please indicate this on your application or inform the event staff at cmbs@usc.edu.

  • Access the program application here and submit by March 15, 2026 to be consider for this year’s program.

  • The Summer Research Program will last three days and take place in-person July 8th through July 10th, 2026.

The Venue

 

Cammilleri Hall,
Brain and Creativity Institute

3620A McClintock Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2921

(213) 821-2377
An empty Cammilleri Hall looking down at the lit stage with a grand piano in the center.
Brain and Creativity Institute

Quotes from high school students who attended the Music and the Brain Youth Symposium

I learned a lot more about music as a way to improve cognitive wellness, not just in neurodegenerative diseases but also
depression, cancer, etc! I also learned a lot about the difference between passive and active music.

I learned so much about how music can help people.

Music has a very important relationship with mental and physical health and there’s a big future for music as a means to help heal people.

I learned how certain parts of the brain react to activities and music. I learned way more about neuroscience, groove, tempo. I learned music can be used as medicine.

Music can be helpful for many people including taking away stress. Even adults struggle with practicing. There are so many areas of music you can focus on.

I learned SO much about the brain and how music affects the brain.

I learned about all of the subcategories of research that there are pertaining to this field, including all of the cultural and functional practices of human life (ie. genres of music or language). I learned about the wealth of resources and studies available for this work, and lastly about the excellent educational opportunities available at USC – which will be on my radar for the future!

    A group of high school program participants standing in a group outside of The Brain and Creativity Institute.
    Four high school students looking at a fifth high school student who it wearing a portable EEG cap and looking at the camera.
    A high school student presenting on stage at Cammilleri Hall.
    Looking through an open door at a conference room full of high school students at The Brain and Creativity Institute.
    A view from the top of Cammilleri Hall with a full audience and a person playing the piano on center stage with a live brain scan projected on the wall behind him.
    A high school student presenting in Cammilleri Hall.
    A diverse group of high school students are standing and talking on the brightly lit stage of Cammilleri Hall at the Brain and Creativity Institute on USC's campus.

    Questions?

    Contact us!

    Center for Music, Brain, and Society

    A view from outside a brick building on USC's campus with a person walking by.

    Interested in joining?

    Apply now!

    Keep Exploring:

    Stay up to Date: