Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world.

Lots of us can sing along with a recording, carry a tune on a kazoo and appreciate expert musical artistry, whether or not we can read a single note of music.

To develop expertise in music, though, perform with an orchestra, master the works of the world’s great musicians or understand the concepts and theory that make music the compelling universal language that it is — that takes study, practice, keen attention to detail, focused brainwork and the repetitive development of muscle memory.

University of Delaware senior April Kwon has been doing that work for years, pursuing mastery of the viola, a string instrument that looks a lot like its smaller cousin, the violin.

Now Kwon, of Belcamp, Maryland, is combining her love of music with her interest in neuroscience and pursuing a double major at UD — applied music (viola) and cognitive science.

Kwon wants to know if musical training affects brain activity in musicians, specifically how all that focused attention affects musicians’ sensory perception.

She has spent the summer researching such questions under the oversight of neuroscientist Stuart McCaughey, assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences.

Q: Why did you want to pursue this? What intrigues you about the topic?

Kwon: As someone who has always loved music and recently grew deep interest in how the human brain functions, I’ve been looking for ways to bring the two fields together in a meaningful and unique way. Through my years of intensive musical training, I have come to question whether my sensitivity for certain sensory experiences may be shaped by intensive musical training. I often found myself asking friends if they experience similar things, but I realized I was not able to fully understand the relationship without structured and in-depth research. I hope to expand my knowledge on this through my research, so I can create a deeply empathetic and supportive environment for musicians who may desire greater inclusivity within both musicians’ circles and in broader society.

Q: Why does research like this matter?

Kwon: The human brain is continuously being studied to uncover various ambiguities. However, there are still many gaps in understanding how specific skills such as musical training shape sensory perception and attention. Research like mine matters because it specifically explores how long-term musical training may be influential beyond one’s musical ability, such as in cognitive functions. By expanding this knowledge of the human brain, it can help us better understand how intensive training and other learning experiences shape the brain. This could be especially advantageous in educational approaches, rehabilitation and providing greater support for both musicians and non-musicians.

Q: What does your daily research/work entail?

Kwon: My daily research entails extensive reading and literature as part of internet-based research. I spend most of my time searching for relevant articles through databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. On top of this, I also review books relating to music and the brain. As I read, I take notes on anything that may be interesting and/or relevant to my study. I would then conduct further research on those topics using scholarly sources as a way of deepening my understanding and refining my focus.

Q: What’s the coolest thing about being involved in this project? Have you had any surprising or especially memorable experiences?

Kwon: I find it very exciting to dive into research and discover previous studies exploring the relationship between musicians and the brain. With my current understanding of the general functions throughout the brain, it is especially interesting to see unusual and expanded roles discovered in certain brain regions and structures in professional musicians. I also find it very interesting to learn about various experimental methods researchers have used to uncover further mechanisms of the brain. For example, I have been exploring how the corpus callosum contributes to cognitive function, and how the volume of this brain structure may differ significantly in musicians. (The corpus callosum connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Its main function is to facilitate communication between the hemispheres for various functions such as cognition, movement and perception.) Through my exploration of this topic, I have come across studies in musicians with lesions in the corpus callosum and have learned how such injuries affect their trained skills.

Q: Is there anything you’ve discovered about yourself and your career goals as you’ve worked on this project?

Kwon: The biggest thing I have discovered is that while my love for music and the viola will always stay with me, what truly feels right to me is bringing my two main interests — music and the human brain — together through research. Over the past few years when I discovered my interest in the human brain, I struggled with finding a way to balance pursuing music as a performer while studying a completely different field. This project has helped me form clarity of the path I wish to take. I will continue being a passionate violist, but my focus is on learning and discovering much more about the human brain and its cognitive processes as I work my way towards becoming a physician assistant. While there are not many professionals in medicine with a deep understanding of music and musicians, I believe my training and knowledge will allow me to provide the most valuable support to musicians.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Kwon: In my spare time (though it is often difficult to find), I enjoy going to the gym, reading, thrifting and cafe-hopping. I especially enjoy reading authors such as Haruki Murakami and Stephen King. These activities help me stay balanced as a dual major.