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28 October 2020 | Story Nitha Ramnath


Lunchtime learning webinar series on Interdisciplinarity in Action

Mastering a musical instrument, such as the piano, requires the simultaneous integration of a multimodal, sensory system and motor information with multimodal, sensory feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the performance. Performing intricate movements requires complex, sensory-motor programming of finger and hand movements, which can result in a reorganisation of the brain regarding functional and structural changes of existing and the establishment of new connections. Neuronal networks involved in music processing are adaptable and fast-changing. When motor skills are simplified to the most important action, it consists of nerve impulses sent to the muscles.

In this webinar, Dr Frelét de Villiers discusses the interdisciplinarity between the two fields of music and neuroscience. Promising preliminary data has been reported for applications of transcranial direct stimulation (tDCS) of the motor cortex, ranging from stroke rehabilitation to cognitive enhancement. These findings raise the alternative possibility that the fine motor control of pianists may be improved by stimulating the contralateral motor cortex. 

In our interdisciplinary study, we want to use the Halo Sport neurostimulation system (a physical training aid). This is a tDCS device, designed to optimise the efficiency of training sessions and accelerate gains in any physical skill, especially when the neurostimulation is complemented by focused repetitive training. The main questions of the study are the following: do pianists experience a noticeable difference in mastering repertoire with and without the HALO Sport device, and can functional and structural changes in the brain be observed after using the Halo Sport consistently over six months? Data collection will consist of EEG tests, fMRI scans, interviews, and analysis of performances by an expert panel. The value of the research is the possibility that practising with the HALO may improve the performance of the students and that changes in the brain may be observed. Interdisciplinary engagement is essential to conduct this research. If it is possible to establish that there are functional and structural changes in the brain and improvement in the performance of the pianists, the research can be extended to other disciplines with hopefully the same positive results.

This webinar is part of a series of three webinars on Interdisciplinarity that will be presented from November to December 2020 via Microsoft Teams for a duration of 45 minutes each. The webinar topics in the series will explore the intersection between Neuroscience and Music, between Science and Entrepreneurship, and between Science and Visual Arts.  

Date: Thursday 5 November 2020
Topic: The intersection between neuroscience and music 
Time: 13:00-13:45
RSVP: Alicia Pienaar, pienaaran1@ufs.ac.za by 4 November 2020 at 12:00
Platform: Microsoft Teams

Introduction and welcome
Prof Corli Witthuhn – Vice-Rector: Research at the University of the Free State 

Presenter
Dr Frelét de Villiers

Dr de Villiers is a Senior Lecturer at the Odeion School of Music. She is head of the Methodology modules, short learning programmes, lectures in piano, music pedagogy, arts management, and is a supervisor for postgraduate students. She is a member of the Faculty of the Humanities Research Committee, Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures, Scientific Committee (Arts), and the Ethics Committee (the Humanities). Her field of expertise is piano technique, with particular emphasis on the influence of the brain and the whole-brain approach to music. Her passion is the use of technology in the music teaching situation – she developed a note-learning app, PianoBoost (available on Google Play).

News Archive

Meet the person behind the new #FaceOfFacebook
2016-05-19

Reuben “R” Davids

The votes have been counted, and we have a winner! After much excitement and a fairly close contest, Reuben “R” Davids emerged victorious from the top five contestants selected by our panel of judges. We chatted with the vibrant and enthusiastic Mr Davids to get a sense of the person who will be our Facebook ambassador for the next year.

What does the “R” stand for?

“Interestingly, some also know me as Vuyo. It's not a name on my birth certificate or anything; I just really like it. And I also coincidentally found out that it means “joy/happiness”, and I do enjoy being happy.”

What is your field of study, and how far along are you?

“I am pursuing a career in the economics field as a third-year BCom Accounting student in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences here at the University of the Free State.”

Are you originally from Bloemfontein?

“Yes, born and bred. I've been a Bloem Kid since day one.”

How is it that you ended up here, studying at the UFS?

“The UFS has always been one of my favourite universities. During my high school period, I was constantly exposed to people from my neighbourhood as well as schoolmates who performing excellently here at UFS, and it didn't go unnoticed. So I have always been drawn to the prestige that UFS carries.”

Which residence are you in, and what do you enjoy most about res life?

“I currently stay at home with the family, but for my first 2 years of study I resided at ConLaurês. What I enjoyed the most about res life is the freedom and independence that you get. It also enables one to participate in campus life much easier. It actually helps one grow and mature into the adult you're supposed to become with all the challenges and responsibilities that you're faced with.”

What do you hope to accomplish during your term as the #FaceOfFacebook?

“I enjoy the art of presenting (as well as being an MC), and being the #FaceOfFacebook will enable me to exercise that skill. Also, my interaction skills will be exercised. That being said, I would like to have those skills developed further by the end of my term as #FaceOfFacebook.”

What is your motivation in your studies, in taking part in this contest, and in life?

“I am an adrenaline junkie. I like taking on challenge; so what I normally do is I set a certain goal for myself and then take on the challenge to achieve that goal. That's my number one motivating factor. And I think I'm also inspired by the failures and successes of myself and of those around me.”

Reuben has already been featured in a #PeopleOfKovsies post on Facebook, and appeared in his first Facebook video covering the Open Day on our Bloemfontein Campus.

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