By Sara Leila Sherman and Morton Sherman
Music surrounds us—on morning commutes, in classrooms, during grocery runs. Over 70% of Americans listen to music for three to four hours each day. But how much of that listening is truly intentional? And how can we purposefully use music for ourselves and others?
That’s the question at the heart of our book Resonant Minds: The Transformative Power of Music, One Note at a Time, which explores how we can use music purposefully to support emotional awareness, executive function, connection, and focus. It’s not just about listening to music, but about engaging in ways that resonate deeply with how we learn, lead, and live.
Since 2017, the ideas behind Resonant Minds have been put into action through live performances, school assemblies, and family programs reaching over 100,000 children across the country. The impact? Immediate and profound.
We’ve watched as outdoor plazas holding hundreds of families fall into a shared silence while breathing to the gentle strains of Bach, collectively reducing cortisol levels. We’ve seen entire auditoriums of students shift their attention and mood during a rhythmic “brain break,” clapping and moving in sync, creating a groove and sense of community. In each case, music becomes a tool—not a background element, but a meaningful cue that guides in regulation, presence, and joy.
Science backs this up. When used intentionally, music supports co-regulation, strengthens memory, and activates emotional and cognitive pathways in the brain. Whether it’s a calm melody to support focus, an upbeat tune to boost motivation, or a favorite song to anchor a routine, music works with the brain’s natural patterns—not against them.
For educators, this opens powerful possibilities. What if the bell that signals the start of class was replaced with a calming theme? What if students clapped out math rhythms or paused to listen deeply to a musical phrase during a mindfulness break? What if instead of learning history alone, we learned the songs that were sung to civil rights movements, the moments that created political anthems and strengthened communities? What if playlists were created not just for fun, but to reinforce classroom culture, values, and emotional literacy?
Resonant Minds doesn’t propose a one-size-fits-all program. Instead, it offers a framework: listen with intention, act with rhythm, and use music as a bridge between self and others. In an increasingly distracted world, this kind of active listening can be a quiet revolution—one that invites students and educators alike to slow down, connect, and build healthier habits of mind.
Music is a language that reaches across age, culture, and ability. And when we learn to use it with care and creativity, it becomes one of the most accessible and powerful tools we have in education.
Sara Leila Sherman is a distinguished classical musician and educator, renowned for her work in making music accessible to young audiences through her children's concert series, Mozart for Munchkins, and the non-profit Little Mozart Foundation. Blending music and mindfulness, she has pioneered innovative approaches that empower educators and parents to use music as a tool for mindful learning and personal growth at esteemed institutions such as Lincoln Center Kids, The New York Public Library, and Hudson Yards to ensure music is available to all communities.
Morton Sherman, PhD, is the retired Senior Associate Executive Director of The School Superintendents Association, known for his visionary leadership during a 25-year career as a superintendent dedicated to elevating academic standards and promoting equitable education. Throughout his career, Mort championed initiatives that addressed achievement gaps and empowered communities, leaving a legacy of systemic change and a commitment to fostering inclusive, impactful learning environments.
