Five Questions With… Dr. Kelly Jakubowski
Every fortnight, we sit down with people with direct experience of working with meaningful music for dementia. In this edition, we are joined by Dr. Kelly, Jakubowski, a Professor of Music psychology at Durham University with an interest in music and memories.
Hi Kelly. Thank you for taking the time to speak to us. Firstly, can you tell us what motivates you in your work as a Professor of Music Psychology?
I originally trained as a musician, but even as an undergraduate student was constantly asking questions about how we learn music, what happens in the brain when we remember music, and why some people process music in different ways. I was excited to discover music psychology as a discipline with the means to address these sorts of questions. My current research on music and memory is motivated by my drive to answer questions of broad public interest like “Why is music so good at reconnecting us to memories of our pasts?”
Can you tell us about a time you’ve seen the power of music in action for dementia or in another scenario?
As a graduate student I volunteered for a while in Hospice care settings. My original intention in doing this was simply to get to chat to people and provide them some company. But once the care staff found out I was a musician they capitalised on this and asked me to play the violin a few times in various settings. It was clear this was a rare experience for the residents, and allowed me to connect with larger groups of people in the homes than just having one-to-one conversations. The emotional responses of many residents were very powerful and memorable.
Personally meaningful playlists have been proven to help people living with dementia and their carers, but they are not currently seen as essential care. What do you think can be done academically and practically to address this?
There’s still a lot to be done in terms of joining up research evidence and practice. Carers are justifiably very busy meeting the day-to-day needs of people with dementia, and don’t have time to read complex research reports. People like myself who are doing the basic research to support this cause need to continue to find compelling and readily accessible ways of communicating the necessity of music for dementia care.
What’s one thing that you do for own wellbeing that you’d recommend to others?
Exercise is essential to me – it not only keeps me fit, but greatly impacts my mental health and clears my mind. In addition to running on my own I play football with a group of friends which also has amazing social benefits.
Thank you to Dr Kelly Jakubowski for sharing her thoughts.
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Dr Kelly Jakubowski's personal playlist
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Pietro Mascagni
One of the pieces I played with my youth orchestra the summer I decided, at around the age of 14, that I wanted to become a violinist.
Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, 2nd movement, Felix Mendelssohn
One of my favourite pieces of chamber music to play as a violinist.
Blueberry Eyes, The Battered Bison
This song was written and performed by my husband and myself about our daughter when she was two-years old.
Girl on Fire, Alicia Keys
Added for comedic value, as my now four-year-old daughter absolutely loves to belt this song out at the top of her lungs.
