Music Psychology

Music psychologists explore the ways that music impacts our emotions, relationships, brain and bodies. We use a range of research approaches to explore the connection between music and individuals, groups and society in order to better understand how music can promote health and wellbeing.

Music Psychology at the Conservatorium

Discovering how people think, feel, behave and learn when engaging with music.

Our Music Psychology Laboratory undertakes research, learning and teaching around the key concept of what it is for individuals and societies to be musical, and the ways music forms an invaluable aspect of everyday life. Our researchers collaborate and engage with other disciplines and organisations in ways that foster exploration, innovation and experimentation.

We work in close association with our sister laboratory at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences – the Clinical Music Neuroscience Laboratory – and collaborate on projects within the Music Mind and Wellbeing Initiative (MMW) at the University of Melbourne.

The Music Psychology Laboratory provides an innovative and overarching framework within which is housed three key areas of music research, teaching and engagement:

Psychology of Music

Focuses on the role music plays in every society and culture, and how it is an important part of all aspects of life, including various social, recreational and cultural occasions. Utilising a range of methodologies, our research initiatives seek to understand the role and purpose of music for individuals and communities, and the ways people engage with music and use music to regulate their mood and emotions in ways that reinforce wellbeing.

Performance Science

Involves the interdisciplinary study of human performance within music. We draw on methodologies across various scientific disciplines to understand the fundamental skills, mechanisms and outcomes of music involvement that enhance the delivery of various forms of professional music performance and music creation.

Performance Teaching

Applies empirical evidence from music psychology related to skill acquisition, practice quality, and motivation, to explore targeted interventions that can be utilised by musicians and teachers and implemented within music education settings, both formal and informal.

Learn more about Masters in Music - Performance Teaching course

Music Psychology and Performance Science courses

Our people

I was really interested in the work Dr Margaret Osborne was doing at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, which seemed to be at the forefront of performance science research and everything seemed to evolve from there. My current research involves the development and assessment of an online performance skills curriculum for adolescent music students and teachers.

Anneliese Gill
Music Psychology and Performance Science Research

Want to know more?

Get information on the courses you’re interested in, or ask our team a question.

Make an enquiry

Conservatorium Events

  • MUSE Festival 2025

    8 July 2025 - 10 July 2025
    Experience a free program of new works by the next generation of performing artists! Formerly known as Discord 879, MUSE is a revival of what began in 2019, and is VCA’s first ever student-led performing arts festival. Presented over three days between semesters, it is an entirely student-org...
  • MUSE Festival 2025

    8 July 2025 - 10 July 2025
    Experience a free program of new works by the next generation of performing artists! Formerly known as Discord 879, MUSE is a revival of what began in 2019, and is VCA’s first ever student-led performing arts festival. Presented over three days between semesters, it is an entirely student-org...
  • MUSE Festival 2025

    8 July 2025 - 10 July 2025
    Experience a free program of new works by the next generation of performing artists! Formerly known as Discord 879, MUSE is a revival of what began in 2019, and is VCA’s first ever student-led performing arts festival. Presented over three days between semesters, it is an entirely student-org...
  • Jazz and Improvisation Winter Camp 2025

    7 July 2025 - 11 July 2025
    We are inviting high school aged instrumentalists and vocalists in years 9-12 to spend a week on campus and explore the world of Jazz and Improvisation. Meet like-minded musicians and develop your playing, skill set and creativity when approaching Jazz music and exploring Improvisation. The w...
  • Master of Music (Orchestral Performance) Showcase Concert

    Wednesday 30 July 2025 7:30pm - 9:00pm
    Join our Master of Music (Orchestral Performance) students for their annual showcase concert. You will hear the entire cohort perform alongside elite musicians from our city’s professional orchestras in performances of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals. The ...
  • Clarinet and Saxophone Mega Day

    Saturday 2 August 2025 10:00am - 7:00pm
    We’re inviting clarinet and saxophone players to join us for workshops, masterclasses, rehearsals and performances with our incredible Mega Ensembles directed by David Griffiths and Joseph Lallo. Participants will engage in workshops, masterclasses, rehearsals, meet with like-minded musicians and...
  • French Horn Mega Day

    Sunday 3 August 2025 9:00am - 6:00pm
    We’re inviting French Horn players of all ages and abilities to come experience a day at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music! This jam-packed day will provide participants with the opportunity to engage in masterclasses, rehearsals, panel discussions, meet with like-minded musicians and perform...
  • Guitar Festival 2025: Guitar Concerto

    Friday 8 August 2025 7:30pm - 9:30pm
    This event is presented as part of the 2025 Guitar Festival at the Conservatorium   Works for guitar and string orchestra by Peter Sculthorpe, Joaquin Rodrigo and a new concerto written by Melody Eotvos. Soloists: Gerard Mapstone, Natalie Poloni, Zixiao Wei and Ken Murray. More u...
  • Guitar Festival 2025: The Blues and the Abstract Truth

    Saturday 9 August 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm
    This event is presented as part of the 2025 Guitar Festival at the Conservatorium Doug de Vries and James Sherlock in concert. A rare opportunity to hear these two guitar masters in duo. More upcoming Faculty of Fine Arts and Music events
  • Guitar Festival 2025: 100 Guitar Ensemble

    Sunday 10 August 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm
    This event is presented as part of the 2025 Guitar Festival at the Conservatorium This showcase concert features the staff and students of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Guitar Festival participants and guest artists. Performances by the Leading Edge Guitar Ensemble and the Guitar ...
  • Guitar Festival 2025

    8 August 2025 - 10 August 2025
    We’re inviting guitarists of all ages, abilities and walks of life to come experience a weekend at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music! Participants will enjoy engaging workshops, connect with like-minded musicians, attend seminars by international artists and perform incredible music together....
  • Guitar Festival 2025: Gabriel Bianco

    Sunday 10 August 2025 7:30pm - 9:30pm
    This event is presented as part of the 2025 Guitar Festival at the Conservatorium A concert featuring international Guitarist Gabriel Bianco. More upcoming Faculty of Fine Arts and Music events
  • The University of Melbourne Wind Symphony Concert

    Sunday 17 August 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm
    Join The University of Melbourne’s Wind Symphony for their third concert of 2025. The ensemble’s energetic program kicks off with the Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in B-flat. The concert also features two Australian composer premieres and horn soloist, Carla Blackwood. The evening will conclude w...
  • Queensland Conservatorium Wind Orchestra and The University of Melbourne Wind Symphony

    Thursday 21 August 2025 7:30pm - 9:00pm
    The Queensland Conservatorium Wind Orchestra joins forces with The University of Melbourne Wind Symphony to present a program of epic contemporary works for wind, brass and percussion, including the world premiere of Symphony No. 4 for Winds by Paul Dean. Program: Daugherty – Lost Vegas ...
  • The University of Melbourne Wind Symphony

    Saturday 23 August 2025 7:30pm - 9:30pm
    Join The University of Melbourne Wind Symphony for their first concert in Verbrugghen Hall! The energetic program kicks off with the Hindemith Symphony in B-flat. The concert will also feature two Australian composer premieres and horn soloist, Carla Blackwood. The evening will conclude with Kevi...
  • Interactive Composition Mega Day

    Sunday 24 August 2025 10:00am - 6:00pm
    Interactive Composition invites sound designers, songwriters, producers, DJs, music and sound makers of all genres, abilities and walks of life, to come experience a day at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music! Interactive Composition Mega Day offers interaction with professional songwriters...
  • Piano Festival 2025: An evening song and dance

    Saturday 11 October 2025 7:30pm - 9:00pm
    This event is presented as part of the 2025 Piano Festival at the Conservatorium. Conservatorium Keyboard Area staff join together to perform solo and duo repertoire that was inspired by – or emulates the spirit of – both song and dance. The concert will showcase our internationally recognise...
  • Piano Festival 2025

    11 October 2025 - 12 October 2025
    Pianists at both the pre-tertiary and tertiary level are invited to spend the weekend with our Keyboard Area staff at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. The festival will feature the entire Conservatorium Keyboard Area staff in a gala concert on Saturday 11 October. This concert titled An Eve...
  • Gender Defying Jazz 2025

    2 November 2025 - 7 December 2025
    Gender Defying Jazz (GDJ) is a program run by Andrea Keller, Head of Jazz & Improvisation at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne. Beginning in 2017 and originally called Girls Do Jazz, the name of the program has been changed to Gender Defying Jazz, to more truly re...

News

Familiar songs may help maximise recovery in children with brain injuries

19 May 2025
A simple nursery rhyme can elicit brain responses that other stimuli cannot in children with severe brain injuries, a new study led by the University of Melbourne has found. T...

Exhibit combines sound art and ecology at Venice Biennale

7 May 2025
University of Melbourne researchers will unveil the ‘Song of the Cricket’ at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, opening in V...

Melbourne Conservatorium of Music appoints Sophie Rowell as Associate Professor in Violin

5 March 2025
The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music is thrilled to announce Sophie Rowell’s appointment as Associate Professor in Violin....

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