Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards 2026
Music, Vibration, and Frequency:
How Sound and Music Affect Mental and Physical Health
November 9, 2026
Hosted by the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) in collaboration with the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center and the Graduate Center.
Free and open to the public. CEUs available for an additional fee.
The Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards celebrates the extraordinary connection between music, science, and the human experience. Bringing together leaders in neuroscience, music therapy, medicine, technology, aging services, and the arts, this year’s symposium explores how sound, rhythm, vibration, and frequency influence the brain, body, and our capacity to heal.
Whether you’re a clinician, a caregiver, an artist, or simply someone who believes in the power of music, we invite you to join the conversation.
2026 Agenda
This year’s program brings together leading experts to examine how sound influences the brain, body, and human health through the latest scientific research and real-world applications.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Registration & Students Poster Presentations
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Panel One: The Neuroscience of Auditory Frequency and Its Effects on Brain Function, Physiology, and Health
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Panel Two: Music Therapy and Music-Based Interventions
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Panel Three: Music-Based Technologies: Translating Science and Therapeutic Best Practices to Expand Access
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Music Has Power® Awards Ceremony and Reception
Speakers
Concetta M. Tomaino, DA, LCAT, MT-BC
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Institute for Music and Neurologic Function
Adjunct Professor at Lehman College
Mark Zuppichini
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
Montclair State University
Edward W. Large, PhD
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Oscillo Biosciences
Katie Down, PhD, MT-BC
Music Therapist; Researcher and Educator
Sound Well Creative Arts Therapy
Antonia Zafeiriou, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology
Adam Gazzaley, MD, PhD
Founder & Executive Director, Neuroscape
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Alex Doman
Chief Executive Officer
Advanced Brain Technologies
Johanna Bickley
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Vibes AI
Edward A. Vessel, PhD
Eugene Surowitz Assistant Professor of Psychology
City College of New York & The Graduate Center, CUNY
Patrizia Casaccia, MD, PhD
Founding Director, Neuroscience Initiative
CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC)
CUNY Partnership
Held at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City, the 2026 Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards invites students, researchers, clinicians, and music enthusiasts to engage with some of the leading voices in neuroscience, music therapy, medicine, and the arts. Our collaboration with the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) reflects a shared commitment to advancing research, education, and innovation at the intersection of music and health. To encourage broad participation, the event is free and open to the public.
Student Research Showcase
CUNY students in neuroscience, healthcare, music, engineering, psychology, and related fields are invited to present their research and projects in the Graduate Center atrium during registration (12:00–1:00 PM).
Learn more about this opportunity and apply to present here.
Continuing Education (CEUs)
Continuing education credits will be available for eligible professionals attending the 2026 Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards. Registration fee: $X (TBD) and includes all applicable continuing education credits. There are no prerequisites to attend this program. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and should consult their respective licensing or certification boards regarding specific continuing education requirements. To register for credits, click here.
Cancellation Policy: If you are unable to attend after registering, please contact the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) by November 1, 2026 to request a refund.
Music, Vibration, and Frequency: How Sound and Music Affect Mental and Physical Health is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 4 CMTE’s Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function# P-120, maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies & criteria.
This program is sponsored by Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF). The IMNF is a certified sponsor of professional continuing education with the National Association of Boards of Examiners for Long Term Care Administrators (NAB). This program is approved for 3 CEUs for nursing home administrators under its sponsor agreement with NAB/NCERS. State licensure boards, however, have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses.
This continuing education session content is pre-approved for 180 min (0.3 CEUs) by NCTRC.
Exhibitor Opportunities
Organizations, companies, and nonprofits whose products, services, or research align with this year’s theme of music, vibration, frequency, neuroscience, healthcare, and related fields are invited to exhibit at the 2026 Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards. Exhibitor tables will be located in the spacious Graduate Center atrium just outside the auditorium—a high-visibility area where attendees gather for registration, networking, and refreshment breaks throughout the day. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, educators, students, and industry leaders.
We hope you can join us!
For questions about the event, email info@imnf.org.
