“Variety is the spice of life” is a well-known expression. We’d like to propose that: “Improvisation is the stuff of life.” Discovering who we are, getting to know other people, forming and navigating relationships, learning new things: all require the ability to be flexible, spontaneous, open, and curious — essential qualities of improvisation. 

Join pianist Helen Sung and Dr. Rajyashree Sen for a very special Rhythm & Reason program where, using Dr. Sen’s research together with music, improv theater games, and interactive activities, we will explore how the brain enables improvisation in living and experiencing everyday life.

Dr. Rajyashree Sen is a postdoc in the lab of Richard Axel at Columbia University. She did her graduate work in the lab of Barry Dickson, first at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (Vienna) and then at HHMI Janelia Research Campus (Virginia). As a graduate student, she dissected the neuronal pathways for evasive (backward) walking in fruit flies. As a postdoc in the Axel lab, she studies the neuronal bases of social memories in mice. When she is not in the lab, she writes and does improv comedy. Along with being fun, these help her to communicate science in a clear and entertaining manner.

 

This event is designed for people with dementia and their care partners. Please register in advance through the Arts & Minds web page. 
 

Rhythm and Reason is a collaboration between Arts & Minds, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute.

Learn more about Arts & Minds programs here.