The symphony of self

Report · 2026 · Arts + emotional development
Cassia Low Manting · Giuliano Picchi

Music offers a promising framework for investigating how artistic training contributes to emotional development in youth. Across educational, psychological, and therapeutic contexts, musical engagement has been associated with gains in emotional perception, emotional regulation, and broader socio-emotional competencies.

This opening research brief synthesizes evidence across music education, psychology, and therapeutic practice. It considers how active and receptive forms of musical engagement relate to emotional awareness, regulation, and social behavior, while identifying limitations in the evidence, including varied interventions, measurement challenges, and limited long-term follow-up.

The project establishes a foundation for further Culture Dynamics research into how music-based practices may inform educational models for emotional skill development and youth wellbeing.