Adult/Family

Experience a profound intersection of artistry and intellect at this special live taping of “Sing for Science,” the award-winning podcast where music legends and world-class scientists explore the stories behind our favorite songs through a technical lens. The “Queen of Funk” herself, 11-time Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan, will take the stage to reflect on the legacy of her iconic hit, “Tell Me Something Good.” Moving beyond the melody, she will share her unique perspective on performing the song over five decades, detailing the visceral emotional and physiological responses she has witnessed in audiences worldwide.

Joining her is Dr. Mei Rui, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Founding Director of Music-in-Medicine, internationally acclaimed concert pianist, and Principal Investigator of several large-scale, multi-modal clinical trials at MD Anderson Cancer. Together, they will bridge Chaka’s lived experience with Dr. Rui’s cutting-edge research into how music influences the body’s healing capacity in therapeutic contexts. The discussion will delve into the roles of tempo, novelty, and familiarity in the human recovery process, creating a fascinating link between artistic intuition and emerging scientific insight.

This immersive event goes beyond a standard interview, integrating a groundbreaking, real-time brain-computer interface (BCI) mapping and visualization of the human brain reacting to a live performance. Attendees will witness a dynamic, multi-sensory exchange that illustrates the powerful connection between sound and science, exploring the mystery of why music moves us inside and out.