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In today's society, the issue of practice-oriented education, which should prepare students for real-life challenges, is increasingly being raised. However, it becomes necessary to consider whether it is worth studying subjects that are not directly related to their future profession. For example, many parents wonder why their children, already overloaded with the curriculum, should study music, painting, and other creative disciplines if they have no plans for a career in these fields. However, it is important to note that art and creative activities develop critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence, which, in turn, can have a positive impact on professional activity in any field. Thus, while an emphasis on the practical application of knowledge is important, the importance of broad educational experiences, which shape a well-rounded individual, cannot be underestimated.
Questions regarding motivation and inspiration in education were discussed by Dina Kirnarskaya, Vice-Rector of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, at the SberUniversity conference entitled "More than Education," which took place on October 25. The discussion presented arguments emphasizing the importance of modern approaches to adult education. Education of the future requires new methods that promote active engagement and development of students.
The head of the Department of Music History and vice-rector of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music plays a key role in the development of music education in Russia. This position not only involves managing educational processes but also actively participating in research. The Department of Music History, under the guidance of an experienced specialist, researches musical heritage, analyzes its influence on contemporary art, and promotes musical culture. The Vice-Rector, in turn, ensures the strategic development of the Academy, implements new educational programs, and promotes the training of highly qualified musicians. These positions require in-depth knowledge of music, pedagogy, and management.
Dina Kirnarskaya reported that at the UNESCO World Conference on Arts and Culture Education, held in 2010 in Seoul, participants presented interesting research results. According to the data, all Nobel laureates were involved in the arts or had a creative hobby at some point in their lives. This emphasizes the importance of creative activity for personal development and achieving high results in various fields. Creativity promotes not only self-expression but also the formation of a unique approach to problem solving, which is undoubtedly valuable in the scientific and cultural spheres.
In 2008, scientists from the University of Michigan (USA) conducted a study in which they analyzed the biographies of Nobel laureates from 1901 to 2005. The study examined data from members of the Royal Society and the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, as well as the results of surveys of members of the Sigma Xi honorary society of scientists and inventors and ordinary Americans. This study provided a deeper understanding of the factors influencing achievements in science and innovation, as well as identified common traits among outstanding scientists.
According to research, Nobel laureates are significantly more likely to be interested in the arts than non-Nobel laureates. This interest is twice as common among laureates as among their non-Nobel laureate peers, and three times more common than in the general population. The professional activities of these laureates include music, photography, drawing, and other performing arts. These findings refute the stereotype of a "true scientist" as someone focused exclusively on one narrow field of knowledge. On the contrary, research shows that the greatest success is achieved by those who develop their interests in a variety of fields, including both creative and scientific fields. Thus, a variety of interests can contribute to deeper understanding and innovation in science.
Dina Kirnarskaya noted that this statement is supported not only by the examples of Nobel laureates. Russian composer and member of the "Mighty Handful" Alexander Borodin is also known as a talented chemist. His friend Dmitri Mendeleev, famous for his discoveries in chemistry, also had a deep love of music. Dina joked, "If they hadn't been involved in music, their chemical discoveries wouldn't have been so innovative." However, every joke has a grain of truth, and this statement highlights the connection between art and science.
Sergey Botkin, a contemporary of Mendeleev and Borodin, was a distinguished physician, physiologist, and pathologist. He held a professorship at the Imperial Medical-Surgical Academy and developed the theory of the body as a single, integrated organism. Despite his busy scientific and teaching activities, Botkin enjoyed playing the cello, which underscores his diverse interests. He even invited a cello teacher to his home at midnight for music lessons, demonstrating his dedication to both music and science.
Dina Kirnarskaya argues that there is a profound connection between scientific achievements and art, rooted in the developmental processes of the human brain. Evolutionary skills developed in our ancestors are acquired by modern humans at an earlier stage. The right hemisphere of the brain, responsible for creativity, imagination, general thinking, intuition, art, rhythm, visualization, melodies, and dreams, has more ancient roots than the left hemisphere. The left hemisphere is responsible for logic, analysis, sequencing, linear thinking, mathematics, languages, facts, and computational thinking. Thus, the harmony between art and science becomes an important aspect of our understanding of human potential and creativity.
Art has been a part of human culture long before the advent of science. As one expert notes, "science was created by a mind shaped by art." This emphasizes that it is more natural for humans to begin their learning with what their ancestors developed first—namely, art. Art plays an important role in life, and, as Dina noted, “the brain demands art,” which testifies to its importance for the development of man and society as a whole.
The principle of early acquisition of the arts was characteristic of aristocratic education in the past. Children were primarily taught dance, music, and drawing, and later they moved on to science. Modern research shows that in countries with high-quality education, such as Finland and Japan, special attention is paid to the arts. This applies not only to children's education but also to employee development in the corporate environment. For example, Japanese companies have long integrated arts into their organizational culture, which promotes creativity and team spirit among employees.
Music training has a significant impact on the structure of the human brain. This aspect is actively studied by Gottfried Schlaug, an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School. In 1995, he and his colleagues conducted a study that showed that professional musicians who began music training before the age of seven had significantly larger volumes of the corpus callosum—a key region responsible for coordinating brain functions and transmitting information between the hemispheres—compared to people who did not study music. These results highlight the importance of early musical education and its positive impact on brain development.
In 2015, Schlaug hypothesized that playing musical instruments and singing contribute to increased neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to form new neural connections, which is key to maintaining cognitive skills and learning at any stage of life. In 2021, Polish scientists reviewed existing research in this field and concluded that professional musicians exhibit higher levels of neuroplasticity than the general population. This phenomenon is likely due to a variety of factors, including regular music practice and individual neurophysiological characteristics. Thus, music lessons can not only enrich cultural experiences but also significantly improve cognitive function and mental abilities.
Playing and singing serve as powerful tools for developing creativity, thinking, and inventiveness. In this context, art becomes an indispensable tool, facilitating our growth and self-expression. Dina Kirnarskaya emphasizes the importance of these practices for achieving heights in creative work.
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