We’re growing brains through the powerful combination of music and neuroscience.

Our programming is rooted in brain science, music arts, and healing while honoring the cultural origins of human rhythm.

Hi, I’m Dr. Jessica!

I'm a music neuroscience scholar and international speaker. I founded Rhythm Grows Your Brain and created the music project Finding Rhythm. My work explores how musical rhythm shapes brain growth from infancy, supports healing, and provides the brain basis for human connection.

My research has been featured in top scientific journals like Science Magazine, and in media outlets such as The Discovery Channel, NPR, NBC4, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, USA Today, MSNBC, Men's Health, and The Atlantic.

Previously, I served as an Associate Researcher in Neuroscience at Georgetown University, where I used neuroimaging to investigate the neural network for feeling rhythm in music. I also served as an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Music, developing Georgetown's first course on Music and the Brain.

Before that, I was a postdoctoral fellow at the International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound in Montreal. I hold a Ph.D. in Auditory and Music Neuroscience from the McMaster Institute for Music and the Mind in Ontario, and a Bachelor of Humanities & Arts degree in Cognitive Science & Vocal Music from Carnegie Mellon University.

As Featured In:

“I want to commend Dr. Jessica on her incredible show Finding Rhythm, and her educational curriculum for DC Public Schools based in music and brain science. It is really powerful to show how rhythm can be a tool for children’s brain development and learning, and then to implement it in the classroom. As an educator and a mother, I just really want to thank you for what you are doing.”
— Dr. Bweikia Steen, Professor of Multicultural Education, George Mason University
“Working with Dr. Jessica has transformed my arts education non-profit. An integral thought-partner in the development of many of our innovative arts and science-based early childhood programs, Dr. Jessica combines a rigorous scientific background with the creativity and skill of an artist—an exquisitely unique combination. Dr. Jessica is an invaluable resource for the children, teachers and families we serve.”
— Ingrid Zimmer, Executive Director, Dumbarton Arts & Education—Inspired Child
“Jessica is a pioneer, using her research skills and content knowledge to go where others simply have not. Jessica operates in an authentic relationship with her fellow researchers, community members, and system actors. She is truly interested and committed to their professional, personal, and organizational well-being and has helped build bridges of collaboration that are rooted in a fundamental belief in shared humanity and love”
— Allison Brown, Esq., late Executive Director of Communities for Just Schools Fund, freedom fighter for Black & Brown children

Discover how you can benefit from our integrative model based on neuroscience, cultural music arts, and science-based healing tools…

Hire Us To Perform

Looking for high-quality musical programming?

Request our Music Project to come perform at your next event!

Book Dr. Jessica

Looking for an engaging speaker for your next event?

Book Dr. Jessica for a speaking engagement!

Custom Workshops

Looking for a fully custom curriculum designed for your next event?

Inquire about our custom-tailored workshops!

Request Our Powerhouse Package

For high-performance organizations serious about diving deep into the power of rhythm to optimize brain growth and transform organizational dynamics, we offer our Powerhouse Package led by renowned music neuroscientist and speaker Dr. Jessica, and Grammy-nominated musician and producer Dante' Pope.

Together, this powerhouse duo fuses high-level scientific and musical expertise into an immersive experience for medium to large groups to tap into their source of personal power... and connection as a team.

Dr. Jessica and Mr. Pope use skillful listening and guidance to support industry leaders and teams while adapting sensitively to individuals with unique needs who tend to feel "out-of-synch" with group goals. Only offered twice per year, this top-tier package is available for the organization ready to uplevel individual brain growth and lock into a state of organizational synchrony.

The Music Project: Finding Rhythm

Everyone can benefit from listening to our music!

The single, Soul. Beat. Connection. teaches children the origins of DC’s Go-Go Rhythms and calls for community connection.

The single, Rhythm Grows Your Brain, is a lesson in brain science and teaches the importance of listening.

Soul. Beat. Connection.

Soul. Beat. Connection.

Watch the music video for our kids’ go-go single, “Soul. Beat. Connection.”

  • I am honored to be a presence in this awesome production! The song and video are beautifully expressed, using our city’s official music, go-go, and teaching the children listeners about its roots! It is ageless and full of color, showing a unity of all generations, cultures, and reminding us how we are all indeed connected!

    Dior Ashley Brown - Award-Winning Emcee, Performing Artist & Founder of the DC Music Summit

  • Kudos to Finding Rhythm for using this unique art form of Go-Go music as a tool for cognitive development in children. I absolutely love the song Soul. Beat. Connection., as it shares the factual narrative of the origins and evolution of DC Go-Go music. I am looking forward to hearing more music from Finding Rhythm.

    Matthew Miller ("Crank Lukongo") | Go-Go musician & Program Specialist for Teaching for Change

  • "The show was phenomenal!! The toddler sitting next to me demanded to be let out of his father’s arms. He stood up and started dancing and grooving!!! This was typical of the kids I saw. I also loved the organic way it came together!"

    Natalie Hopkinson

  • "Finding Rhythm Collective was mind-blowing this morning at The Kennedy Center! Grateful my Mom and our au pair could join us, too!"

    Joy WIlder - Homeschool Parent

  • "This performance is giving me chills, and our girls are dancing their hearts out. And by chills, I mean TEARS. It’s so incredibly lovely."

    Jenn Chavez - Parent of 8-year-olds Ollie & Lulu

  • "Congratulations on a fabulous show! I loved all the small details: the coordinated outfits, the beautiful animations, the ways the kids were a part of every scene and every narrative, the honoring of ancestors, the DC pride and go-go connection. It's hard to make a space at the Kennedy Center feel warm and special, but you all did it. My son, Simon (age 6), was riveted the whole time, and cried during Mother Dance's feature. We are all on a cloud! Beautiful job!"

    Jen Hayman - Music Director, parent

  • "The show was SO amazing!!! I can’t wait for the world to see it!"

    Michelle Deslauriers - Parent