What happens in your brain when you listen to music? Why can a favorite song lower stress, trigger vivid memories, or even help people cope with grief?

In this episode, Anna Gray sits down with Diana Wang, a medical student at Brown University, neuroscientist, and trained violinist, to explore what researchers are learning about music as a health behavior. From dopamine and neurotransmitters to the emerging field of arts prescribing, Diana explains how music affects the brain and body—and why scientists are increasingly studying music alongside sleep, exercise, and nutrition as a contributor to health and well-being.

The conversation also explores the role of music in grief, what makes certain pieces so emotionally powerful, and how understanding the science behind music can deepen our experience of listening.

This episode offers a new way to think about every concert you attend this year at the Kingston Chamber Music Festival!