The Power of Music

Description

“Music is beyond talking. It’s a universal language that we all understand and we all feel… it can touch our souls, it can trigger a memory, it can make somebody want to move.”

— Steve Koven

Never underestimate the power of music.

This episode of the Living Jewishly Podcasts is an instalment of What’s In Your Toolbox?, a podcast about mental health and the tools that we use to cope and heal. In this episode, host Bobby K sits down with his brother, Steve Koven, to talk about his journey from being diagnosed with a learning disability in childhood to earning his Master’s in Composition and Music from York University.

In this episode, you’ll discover why Steve, a talented musician and music educator, counts music as a powerful tool in his toolbox, and how he also uses it to help heal and support those around him.

“I graduated, and it was probably the best thing I’ve ever done in my life for developing self confidence, and understanding starting something and finishing it to the best of your ability.”

— Steve Koven

This‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌

The links between music and brain health, and Steve’s artist-in-residence gig with the University Health Network
How Steve became an educator even though it was the last thing he ever expected to be
Why having a trusted mentor can help you in multiple facets of your life

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Highlights:‌ ‌

00:53 Intro

02:38 Meet Steve Koven

03:14 Learning disability to Master’s

04:59 Piano & lineage

06:12 Becoming an educator

08:29 Music & brain health

10:54 The universal healing power of music

12:54 Turning hours into minutes & teaching

15:06 Student challenges & the Bahamas

17:37 Women’s Brain Health challenge