Event overview
Goldsmiths Psychology Department Seminar Series
Abstract
The human voice is not only a fascinating musical instrument but also takes a crucial role in our daily interpersonal communication. However, although we train the vocal motor system to produce complex speech sounds from the moment we are born, we still need additional fine-tuning if we want to become a singer. Interestingly, this learning process is not only reflected by an advanced set of vocal skills but also in the way our brain is wired together. In this talk, therefore, I will introduce you into the physiology and neurosciences of singing and demonstrate how professional singers may serve as a novel model for brain plasticity.
Biography
Boris Kleber completed a Master of Science in Psychology at the University of Konstanz (Germany) and received a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Tübingen (Germany). In 2016, he was awarded a higher doctorate degree (i.e., Habilitation) in Psychology from the University of Tübingen. His scientific interest is focused on how experience shapes our brain. Particularly, using the singing voice as a model for sensorimotor expertise. Boris has previously worked with EEG Neurofeedback (Prof. John Gruzelier) and Brain Computer Interfaces (Prof. Niels Birbaumer), and pioneered fMRI studies with trained singers as a model for experience-dependent plasticity of the vocal motor system. This work was further developed during his post-doctoral research with Prof. Robert Zatorre at the Montreal Neurological Institute (QC, Canada). Since 2016, Dr. Kleber is assistant professor at the Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University (Denmark), where he integrates his previous work on vocal motor control in trained singers with the concept of predictive coding.
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 2017 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm |
Accessibility
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