I am a 14-year-old student exploring the connection between music, martial arts, and neuroscience.

I’ve played the piano at an advanced level for years, performed in recitals in Europe and America and earned top prizes in competitions. I’m also an advanced Taekwondo student and instructor and will soon be testing for my 3rd degree Black Belt. Exceling at these seemingly contrasting activities has taught me the value of discipline, perseverance, and consistency. I wasn’t naturally gifted at either activity…but I persevered with hours of daily practice over many years. I was also lucky to have had very good teachers.

Now imagine the skills it takes to master a difficult piano passage - extreme precision, control, and finger dexterity. On the other hand, breaking a thick wooden board with a 360-degree kick requires full body balance, spatial awareness, and a keen sense of timing. Both actions are controlled by an organ in our body weighing less than 3lbs – the human brain. This is why I find neuroscience fascinating. I want to understand how the brain works so I can one day help people with neurological disorders – individuals whose brains can no longer learn, adapt, and mould properly.