The George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health and Washington Performing Arts last week announced the launch of the NeuroArts Collective, a groundbreaking partnership bringing together the performing arts and public health to advance brain health and social well-being among older adults.
This collaboration introduces graduate practicum experiences in NeuroArts, an emerging field exploring how artistic engagement can enhance neurological and cognitive health, bridging science, creativity and compassionate care.
Leading the public health component of the collaboration is Sydnae Law, director of applied practice at Milken Institute SPH. “This partnership exemplifies what’s possible when we break down silos between disciplines,” Law said. “By bringing public health students into arts-based community settings, we’re building evidence-based programs that address cognitive decline, isolation and quality of life for older adults.”
“Through The NeuroArts Collective, we’re connecting the power of the arts with the rigor of public health practice,” said Jenny Bilfield, president and CEO of Washington Performing Arts. “Our shared goal is to build healthier, more connected aging communities by harnessing music, dance, and creativity as catalysts for wellness.”
The initiative’s inaugural practicum students, GW master of public health candidates Ciel Vidale and Neneh Sheriff, work in close collaboration with Washington Performing Arts’ Director of Arts Education & Partnerships Amber Pannocchia; Community and Global Programs Manager Hannah Katz; and faculty and staff at Ingleside at Rock Creek, a leading retirement and assisted living community in Washington, D.C.
Their work examines how music, movement and dance affect individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In partnership with Washington Performing Arts teaching artists, Vidale and Sheriff are translating their research into practice by helping to shape and strengthen arts-based programming for older adults.
The team is piloting and evaluating new arts-based wellness programs launching in Spring 2026. They also are conducting a comprehensive literature review of current NeuroArts research and developing accessible educational materials for residents, caregivers and staff, as well as facilitating focus group discussions to inform the design of future programs.
“Working with Washington Performing Arts and Ingleside has fundamentally shaped how I understand public health in practice,” Vidale said. “Parkinson’s disease affects far more than motor function; it impacts confidence, identity and social connection. Through movement and dance, I witnessed residents reclaim a sense of agency and joy in ways that traditional health interventions often struggle to reach.”
Vidale remembered a phrase shared by Washington Performing Arts teaching artist Lucy Bowen McCauley during a focus group demonstration the two led together: “The can’ts turn into cans.” The phrase, Vidale said, “stayed with me throughout this work.”
“During the session, you could physically see that shift happening. Participants who initially hesitated became more animated, more confident, and visibly happier as the movement progressed. Their posture changed, their faces lit up and they were eager for the next sequence. It was remarkable to witness.”
She added that the impact extended beyond movement alone. “What stood out most was how quickly people stepped out of their shells. The room transformed into a space of fellowship and community: participants laughing, encouraging one another and fully present. Parkinson’s disease can be profoundly isolating, so seeing people smile, laugh, and genuinely enjoy themselves underscored what this work is really about.”
One moment in particular left a lasting impression. “After the demonstration, one resident shared, ‘My wife would be so surprised to see me doing this.’ He had assumed he would not be able to participate much, yet he not only engaged, he impressed himself. That moment was incredibly heartwarming and reinforced the idea that when programs are designed with dignity and inclusion at the center, people often discover strengths they didn’t realize they still had.”
Vidale’s practicum focuses on the role of dance and movement in improving motor function and emotional well-being among residents with Parkinson’s disease, while Sheriff’s project is centered on the use of music to support cognitive function in the Memory Support Assisted Living group.
“Working alongside Washington Performing Arts and Ingleside Senior Living Facility has deeply shaped my understanding of how public health can be experienced beyond traditional clinical settings,” said Sheriff. “Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affect far more than memory. They impact identity, emotional well-being and a person’s sense of connection to others. Through music and based on research, there is an improvement in residents' access to moments of joy, familiarity, and presence that are often difficult to reach through standard health interventions alone.”
Sheriff reflected on how research and observation informed the development of an educational music program designed specifically for individuals living with memory loss. “The literature consistently shows that music activates preserved parts of the brain, even as other cognitive functions decline. During sample sessions, it was powerful to see residents who were initially quiet begin humming, tapping along or softly singing as familiar melodies played. These small responses carried deep meaning.”
“The NeuroArts Collective reflects our shared belief that the arts are not a luxury, they are a vital component of public health,” said Bilfield. “Together, we’re shaping the future of community care through creativity, science, and empathy.”
Law added, “We’re thrilled to see this initiative come to life through the work of Ciel and Neneh, and to continue building evidence for the power of the arts to heal, engage, and transform lives.”