Music and the Mind Maritimes returns to UPEI on August 13
On Thursday, August 13, the sixth annual Music and the Mind Maritimes conference will bring researchers, educators, musicians, health professionals, students, and members of the public to the University of Prince Edward Island for a free day of presentations, discussion, and live music.
The conference will take place from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Room 142, Bill and Denise Andrew Hall. It is hosted by UPEI’s Music Cognition and Auditory Perception Research and Training Laboratory, directed by Dr. Annabel Cohen, professor of psychology.
During the conference, participants will explore the theme, “Implications for Music Education and for Well-being”–how music shapes the mind and what that means for learning and well-being.
The conference will begin with the Gathering Song, led by Lenox Evans, in honour of Epekwitk, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. Throughout the day, speakers will explore questions such as How do we learn music? and How does music impact well-being? Presentations will be organized into four sessions—psychology, music, education, and health—with opportunities for audience participation and discussion throughout.
Dr. Betty Anne Younker, former Dean of Music Education at Western University, will deliver the keynote address at 11:30 am. She will be joined by presenters from UPEI’s departments of Music and Psychology, as well as students and researchers from Mount Allison University, Mount Saint Vincent University, and other institutions across the region.
“The conversations are my favourite part,” said program coordinator Juno Chen who works closely with Dr. Cohen. “A psychologist and a music teacher will hear the same 15-minute talk and ask completely different questions, while members of the public often offer additional insights. That mix is the whole point—it’s inspirational and advances understanding.”
Anyone who would like to give a talk can submit a structured abstract to airs@upei.ca.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided with an optional dinner at 5:30 pm. The day will conclude with Musical Waves, a free eclectic concert coordinated by Liz Pan, at 7:00 pm in the Steel Recital Hall, to celebrate the many connections between music, learning, and well-being.
Attendance at the conference and concert is free, and the optional dinner is $20 (or $10 students or youth). Registration is required. To register, go to Music and the Mind Maritimes – 6th Annual Conference Registration.
For more information, visit Music and the Mind Maritimes 2026.
