Palm Beach Symphony to Host Interdisciplinary Panel on Arts' Impact on Physical and Mental Well-being

The Palm Beach Symphony will host its annual Music, Maestros & Masters panel discussion on November 13 at Florida Atlantic University's Jupiter campus, featuring leading voices from music, science, health and athletics who will explore how the arts fuel physical performance, cognitive vitality and emotional wellness. This interdisciplinary conversation represents a growing recognition of the arts' significant role in human development and well-being across multiple domains of life.

The expert panel includes Shawn Berry, founder and artistic director of Young Singers of the Palm Beaches; Kathleen L. Davenport, M.D., a spine and sports medicine physiatrist at Hospital for Special Surgery; and Latin Grammy Award-winning trombonist Domingo Pagliuca, who serves as Palm Beach Symphony's principal trombonist. The discussion will be moderated by Kevin Wilt, Ph.D., Department of Music Chair, Associate Professor and Composer-in-Residence at FAU's Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters.

Dr. Davenport brings specialized expertise in sports, performing arts and dance medicine, having completed her spine and sports fellowship at HSS in New York City. Her research focuses on optimizing patient wellness through innovative care approaches, and she serves as Company Physician for Miami City Ballet while holding board positions with the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. Her participation underscores the scientific community's increasing interest in understanding how artistic practice affects physical health and performance capabilities.

Shawn Berry's work with Young Singers of the Palm Beaches demonstrates the long-term developmental benefits of arts engagement, with his organization growing to include seven choirs and more than 350 singers in its core program. The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County recognized his contributions with the Randolph A. Frank Prize Award for Performing Arts Educator, highlighting the educational significance of his approach. His choirs have performed at state, divisional and national American Choral Directors Association conventions, demonstrating the high artistic standards achievable through quality arts education.

Domingo Pagliuca's career exemplifies the professional excellence possible through dedicated musical training, having graduated with honors from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music and currently performing with the world-renowned Boston Brass while serving as Principal Trombone for both Palm Beach Symphony and the Florida Grand Opera Orchestra. His Latin Grammy Award recognition illustrates the highest levels of achievement in musical performance.

The evening will include live musical performances by Palm Beach Symphony musicians, FAU faculty and singers from Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, providing practical demonstrations of the artistic excellence under discussion. These performances will showcase how musical training develops teamwork, leadership skills and community engagement among participants.

Tickets for the November 13 event are available for $25 at fau.edu, with free admission for students under age 16 accompanied by a registered adult. The event's accessibility reflects Palm Beach Symphony's commitment to community engagement, recognized by The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County with a 2020 Muse Award for Outstanding Community Engagement.

This interdisciplinary conversation comes at a time when research increasingly demonstrates the cognitive, emotional and physical benefits of arts participation. The panel's diverse expertise allows for a comprehensive examination of how musical training enhances neurological development, supports physical rehabilitation and performance, and contributes to emotional resilience. The discussion may influence how educational institutions, healthcare providers and community organizations integrate arts programming into their services.

The inclusion of both scientific and artistic perspectives provides a unique opportunity to bridge traditionally separate fields, potentially leading to new collaborative approaches in education, healthcare and community development. As organizations like Palm Beach Symphony continue their education and community outreach programs, which have reached more than 90,000 students in recent years, the insights from this panel could shape future programming and demonstrate the tangible benefits of sustained arts engagement across the lifespan.