How singing together changes the brain: Tania de Jong AM at TEDxMelbourne

Tania de Jong AM makes the case that people singing together can change the brain. Pushing the idea that creativity is the strategic tool of the 21st century, she says how our voices have been silenced and that it's not doing us any good. She explains how singing is a survival mechanism, how it makes our hearts beat together and can help heal strokes and depression.

With singing, and the potential she believes it has, Tania dedicates herself to enhancing and promoting ingenuity and founded Creativity Australia and Creative Universe to do so. As a leading Australian soprano and through 'With One Voice', Tania works with disadvantaged communities. In 2008 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the arts and for the establishment and development of arts enrichment programs for schools and communities.

Connect with Tania:
Tw: @TaniadeJong

TEDxMelbourne brings a diverse group of people together to share ideas, knowledge and inspiration through a series of events throughout the year.

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In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.*
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[khappy]

I'm in a choir for 4 months now. I could tell something was happening to my brain in a positive way and it was giving me a chance to learn how to sing. I had had brain damage for 17 years I'm about 80% healed and able to function now and I believe that God sent me well everyone else was doing contemporary music at church to go to the traditional service and sit in the choir it's been 4 months I had to change choirs once which meant changing churches because the first choir was unkind and isolating believe it or not. My instincts told me that I needed to find a different church just to find a choir that was loving I think I was guided because prior to this site did not expect to be singing in a choir at all. instinctively it has seemed the last four months to be the most important time in my week and I didn't understand why but I felt God was saying this is absolute priority in your life Wednesday night and Sunday morning I could feel the change in me and I'm learning to read notes I even desire to practice at home because that's my personal motivation they don't make you. most of the people in the choir or older but there are two high school students and one of them who I sit next to and she assists me told me you can match pitch very well. I had no idea that I could and she is a very good alto and so right there my self-esteem just lifted even if I wasn't singing perfectly quietly I was still getting benefits from being there and I seem to be getting better every week and I noticed that my interest in learning more mastering the notes overtime give me a year or more LOL it seemed to be this innate gentle motivation this is what I wanted to do no one else told me it was just the way I felt when I was there singing and hearing the other parts singing and we all Blended together. just last night our choir director said she's going to bring in some articles on how choir singing benefits people the brain Etc and then this morning I chose to look up on YouTube research on this and this TED Talks was the first thing I found so I listened and it only confirmed what I believe God was doing in my life but guiding me to a choir out of the blue and now I see a vision that it's changing my life and then it is to be part of my life forever. thank you for this beautiful video that was put up. It really helped my life. Kelly from Florida USA

[catherinegillespie]

My sister bursts into song at work (just a few lines combined with a little bit of a dance move) several times per day and her coworkers often join in. She is soon to be promoted from a State Management role to National role. Her style encourages collaboration at a more innate level/connection (but it's not personal), humour, stress release and building relationships. Her staff know that she is encouraging and supportive and this extends to giving frequent positive and negative (always constructively focussed) feedback. Her style is definitely not frivolous and is embraced by many. It's liberating to have a voice at work and to not feel embarrassed or self focussed. Just 'getting over ourselves' opens up new possibilities for 'being' at work. Being corporate doesn't mean we have to be as stiff as cardboard.

[narellelangdon]

This is why we sing, why we lift our voice, why we stand as one in harmony……… crying with happiness watching this. Thank you.

[minhnhat.porsche]

This video is very touching for me, someone who is enthusiastically seeking for the meanings of his life. I realized that I am living in a world where not everyone has the same starting point. But it is our effort and passion that make us who we are, define us, shape us to become the person that can bring hope, inspiration and gratitude to others who are less fortunate than us. And in order to successfully follow your passion, you need to be brave and step up your game, away from your comfort zone, and out of your creativity box. I am thankful for what i have been given and i will try my best to not regret the things i should have done when my (prime) time is up.

[ElevateLeverage]

One good idea that has expanded throughout Australia and eventually will sooth the lives of millions globally.

[davidanstee]

Thay's why I've always felt so good at my daughter's school's Clubs and Choirs each year. It lifts me, it inspires me, it engages you. Unleash your creative brain with Tania de Jong's thoughts! We all need more creativity in our lives and our business.

[bijouki]

This is just BEAUTIFUL, Tania! Thank you for being such an incredible light and force for good on this planet!
I'm so happy to have met you. love b

[marcelluscornelius]

Singing is so uplifting! I am inspired to work harder to help others unlock the creative potential of their brain. I love singing!

[TheIdeaVault]

the most important leadership quality of the 21st century is CREATIVITY! and the heart beating as one... dang!! so beautiful. I feel like singing DOES strengthen a very vital part of ourselves.

[neilstrickland]

I have been singing in choirs since the age of five (school choirs, community choirs, church choirs and many other types of choir). I know that my singing voice is not good enough to be a world-class soloist but that doesn’t matter. My parents (and many others) encouraged me to sing and I find that being in a choir has given me a sense of community and singing often helps me temporarily forget how things have gone during my day. Singing has allowed me to be exposed to choral works I would have never heard of and also allowed me to perform in places I would have never otherwise been aware of.

[kcaramia]

I have shared Tania's information with my Sweet Adelines International chorus and we are proud to be singing today for World Singing Day with another choir in our area, Circle of Friends. We are also donating to the With One Voice program by sending a video of us singing I'd Like to Teach The World to Sing this coming Tuesday along with a donation to support this great program. We are inspired too Tania! well done. Kali Caramia - Director of Indian Blue Chorus

[higgledipigglidy]

All the TED and TEDx talks I've watched have been amazing, but this one was the most amazing yet! Seeing how the spark of wonder that is so often hidden in people can bloom with love, connection, encouragement and friends is one of the best of feelings. Earlier tonight I was talking with friends about a group we want to set up for people who are living alone or feeling alone. We want to make it fun and caring and useful and to help each other give inspiration and meaning to the people in our small rural town. Tania, you and the awesome people you work and sing with, are an inspiration to everyone whose lives you touch, and will make a big difference to the success of our little group. I might even try to overcome one of my fears and reach one of my goals - to learn to sing and one day sing in public. To you and all those in one voice - THANK YOU so much - you rock!!!

[emilythesongbird]

Amazing talk Tania! I believe our voices can transform the world too, but you provide a practical model of how it can be done. I lost my voice this week, and it has made me reflect on the power of my voice and how I want to do more with it, to believe it in and more and love the idea of diversity, bringing diverse people and voices together. We need this so much right now in our divided country and our world. I am deeply grateful for your talk. I plan to share it with my music students.

[jamesburmester]

I think what is not being mentioned is that performing music activates all parts of the brain and how amazing is that!

[martingraham]

My colleagues at Leukaemia Foundation look at me with raised eyebrow and a smile when I burst into song or poetry ... but at least it raises a smile!  : ) And that's what it's all about ... keep sharing the joy Tania.  More power to you and your Voice!

[mkmeed]

Absolutely true...I really enjoy singing and always experience deeper ecstacy when I sing and play music....even though music is my profession...Perhaps singing and playing is inner urge of human beings...where we feel oneness and unity of ours....

[susannahXD]

Incredibly inspirational. I want to learn to sing well and develop that skill with a view to eventually becoming a singer and a vocal coach, perhaps using my abilities to bring other people out of dark places. I'm finding learning about singing in a choir so fascinating - thank you for sharing the science behind how singing works, especially group singing!

[ManuelCastrillo]

Thanks Tania. I really enjoy singing, is the catharsis that plasma part of liberation and connection with our be unique, creative and happy that we carry within us. Through singing we link with the universe and what we give.

[hannahstanton]

Felt so lost and unheard tonight. The universe's algoreithm must have sent me this. Within the first minute, I was in tears. I felt heard. Understood. And as soon as the video finished, I sang until my vocal chords could not sing any further. My creativity has been through the roof every since (like a right side of the brain massage : ))). You're an inspiration Tania. And I'm also glad to hear that your friend didn't make the chorus haha. Keep changing the world, one voice at a time. Because you certainly changed mine : )

[IgorMikeshin]

people keep telling me to shut up and be quiet, but I keep ignoring that and keep singing