Closing the Gap | Margaret Martin | TEDxLoyolaMarymountU

Dr. Margaret Martin is on a mission to save those living in poverty. She presents ground-breaking research that proves how music education can improve brain function, literacy and other vital character traits that carry through students’ lifetimes. The problem: music education is the first thing cut. Margaret makes the case that we need to do the exact opposite. Margaret Martin is a doctor of public health. She is the Founder and Director of Advocacy and Research of Harmony Project, a music-based mentoring program that provides instruments and tuition-free group and private music lessons to thousands of the most vulnerable children in Los Angeles as a means of positive youth development and social inclusion. Harmony Project has garnered two Presidential awards since 2009. Affiliated programs have launched across six states. Findings of her research collaboration with Northwestern University’s Auditory Neuroscience Lab show that early music training significantly improves cognitive function in disadvantaged children, especially for language processing and reading. Illuminating student brain development, Martin's TEDxTalk will discuss the transformative effects of music education for underprivileged children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx