About a year ago, as I arrived in the waiting room for another radiation treatment for cancer, a woman was playing guitar for someone who went in for another treatment. She was going to put her guitar away with tears in her eyes when I thanks her for coming to play. She played one more piece for me. I gave her a business card. It was an awkward moment for some reason. As the end of this video played, I thanked God for giving me a little more time here on Earth School to enjoy some more music, even though I'm sure when we get Home again, the music is great there, too.

I had a mother just like you. Believe it or not, she majored in music at Pepperdine University. At church, she played the piano while a young Marvin Gaye sat beside her as his mother directed the choir. And 50 years on I have her piano and the memories to keep me still.

People who make music that touch your soul are true angels on earth 💙

Today is Dec 25, 2020 and I just found this video featuring Robin's talk about music therapy. Back in 1996 I was dealing with serious lung problems. I had been a fan of piano music my whole life. It was very helpful to me to listen to Robin play the piano on CD's during my hospital stay and recovery. I had her whole collection. Robin gave a performance several years ago on Martha's Vineyard and while I was not there at the time, my friends were. They were able to meet Robin and purchase her latest CD for me. Thank you, Robin, for bringing peace of mind into my life. Barbara E Foster

My buddy sidles up next to me and says I don't know what I have done. See the little blonde girl bouncing around right there? I said, yes and what is your point? He said that she was deaf and has never danced in her life. She could physically feel the concussion that my bass drum made well enough to let her dance. Mom made it a point to make sure that Jhon told me that I have done a good thing. Watching this just made me realize how important what I do really is. I must keep building.

I just learned of music therapy & took recorded songs to my 86 yr old father who is in memory care. The day prior he was babbling and incoherent. Within minutes of starting music, he was smiling, laughing, clapping singing & leading the music as there were an audience of singers! What a blessing. Other memory care patients were so intrigued and responding in small ways too. What a great day.

I have add. Im in my 50's. When need to get things done i have to have music on and my headphones with super bass! I get so much more done and I am happy!

This presentation was very moving to me, especially when she talked about the man who was rescued from the prison of his mind through music. I immediately went to Spotify to hear some of Robin´s music, thank you for the wonderful and moving talk.

A related story: I was in the waiting room for a doctor's appointment where there happens to be an upright piano. I started playing some music (a lot of it Robin's) and was thanked for it from two people in the room. It was surprising because I always assumed I shouldn't play the piano and that it would annoy people who were upset/headaches/whatever the situation. But yes, I am definitely a believer in Music Therapy and the healing power of music. Spread the word ;)

My twin girls Rachel and Amanda were pre-mie's too. 21oz and 23oz and around 13 inches at birth. With a lot of love they grew up healthy and happy. We celebrated their 29th birthday recently.

So thankful Val had a nurse who put love ahead of rules. We all, at some point in our lives, need someone to "put a thumb" on our scale of life. Your daughter's moment just came a little earlier than most.

Thank you so much for 21 minutes of peace and love. I am a musician too and I see that this beautiful general medicin effects everything and everyone. In a choire where I sing since several years I have seen a lot of youth with mental problems or pain and damage in relations but are changed to happy peaceful persons who dare to be thereselfs and dare to share there real light to the world. I see this as a mission to help especially people in most painful situations to give them a glimpse of hope by let then listen to music or letting them playing it! Music featuring you is an organisation a collegue and I started for youth in Holland to use music in the youththerapy. Please pray that we can help every child who needs love.

Music is what has saved me through life.

What a beautiful shared experience. There is so much spirituality and magic in music. On so many levels. How fortunate that this little girl had a musician as a mother. So much to explore in this field. Exciting and promising.

This is so beautiful! My daughter was asked what song was important to her, and why.. when she told me, I was floored. I had listened to our neighbor play Dust in the wind..the whole time I was pregnant with her!

Thank you, Robin Spielberg, for your very moving talk...

wow...that song she played on piano was performed FLAWLESSLY...amazed at her grace and delivery of each note...we all just witnessed perfection.

I had preemie identical twins born at 31 weeks due to TTTS & preeclampsia. Your talk really brought back a flood of emotions. I also played piano music for the littlest one. He has autism now (6 years old) and I can see he loves music. He loves to sing and I’ve always wanted to guide him into music somehow but I can’t play myself 😭

I learned the impact of music on my children - one was also a preemie (born at 26 weeks in 1988). I still attribute their enhanced IQs to the introduction of music early on in their development. My father and two of my uncles were entertainers so this was natural for me to use music to help me through difficult and challenging times. One of my sons loved Jazz and the other Classical music. They both also found ways to communicate to me through music too... Today, I am a teacher. I have withnessed how music calms students down and cheers students up... and, can now say that your music has helped me as well. Thank you for this post.

🎼"Music carries emotion, adds layers of the stuff to the moment, charges memory, invigorates, exhausts, comforts and changes you. That's why it's worth your while to choose your soundtrack. "🎼 This is written on a guitar of a guy who belongs to a very famous band. I have remembered this because it describes music to me and I realised the power of music.

music has paved the way for my healing and transformation. i send blessings to everyone on the musical journey. use it to bring peace and love to those in need.

Yes, Thank you, Robin Spielberg, for your very moving talk, and for the courage that it took to reveal your intensely personal story.

Yes, Robin, I worked as an RN for many years and in many instances I realized how music could help healing. Thank you for sharing your personal story, a very beautiful story! You are so special and so is your daughter Valerie!

I have the honor of working as a hospice musician. Your story about playing in the nursing home resonated. I have lived that experience of feeling like nothing got through, only to hear afterwards the impact the music had, the memories it brought back, and the hearts and lives it touched. That impact may have been more internally realized than externally communicated in ways we have come to expect, but it was there. Thank you for your inspiring story, both yours and Valerie’s.

Very moving thanks Robin Spielberg.

Without looking at the release date I think I've been listening to "Mother" for 20 years ? I sent dupes to 2 friends with radio shows, who then introduced it to national audiences. It remains one of my favorite and moving pieces of music on a 100K system. Gordon

When we connect with each other spiritually however we are able to do so is a step out of darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge and a step up the ladder of evolution! Blessing to All !

Thank you, Robin Spielberg, for your very moving talk, and for the courage that it took to reveal your intensely personal story.

WOW!!!!!!The stories and music have brought me to tears! What amazing stories. I totally believe that music heals. Your music touched me to my core! Thank you for sharing. It is evident that you are a gifted healer.

One of my favorite Ted Talks. This is a beautiful testimonial of the power of sound. I loved it!

The 20 minutes that it took to watch this eloquent presentation, changed my day. Ms. Spielberg did an amazing job in presenting the unique qualities that music has in our lives through her own personal story. Thank you also for confirming the importance of research and study and practice being done by the American Music Therapy Association and it's music therapists.

The true title of this TED Talk. Music is life. God, who cut the onions. ( Happy tears)

Robin I gave you a standing ovation just watching this. I'm sure that yous music likely saved your daughter's life. I loved your talk and message and the song you played magnificently. I agree with everything you said. Even though I have never played on instrument I have enjoyed music immensely since I was 5 years old. It did something magical for me. It filled me with joy. I don't listen to radio talk shows instead I play music in my car and home. I have a huge music collection over the past 60 years of 500 LP's 2,500 CDs, 500 cassettes including 250 party cassettes I recorded of radio or LP for listening or parties. I was even the DJ at my own wedding because I recorded three 90 minutes cassettes for my brother to play on his stereo at my wedding. Listening to music of many types has given me tremendous joy my whole life. I also studied healing frequencies for music such as 528 Hz, 7.8 Hz and many more and that they can alter our brain waves into more healing brain waves. So music for me is a much more enjoyable life and when I attended many parties I brought my music with me and it made the party a success. So music is a gift from God for us to enjoy.

I just watched this video with my grandparents and during it, we all had tears in our eyes. Robin touches on the fact that music lights up the brain and is so good for us. The stories of Valerie and the older man who sang to moon river are amazing. It really is amazing, like Robin discusses, how music can heal/aid in so many circumstances. From preemies, brain injury patients,Alzheimer patients, people with autism, people with learning disabilities, those in mourning - music helps. There is one area she didn't mention that strikes a chord for me. Mental health. I have been listening to Robin's music since my eleventh grade in high school. However, before that, I was removed from school for two weeks in ninth grade. I did not understand what for but I absolutely could not be in school. In early August of 2012, I was officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Had I been asked when I was 14 if I was depressed, I really can't remember if I was asked, my answer would have been "no". It was just called hypomania. I didn't even know what depression was! By the time I found Robin's music, I had been through the ups and downs of depression and mania. All that horrible stuff. Even as a kid, I would bring my CD player into the hideout under by bed and sing away to songs to find comfort but also just for fun. Robin's music allowed me to - usually on the two miles home from school - listen to music and think and work through certain things. Because her music doesn't have lyrics, it was different than anything else I would listen to. Anyhow, this carried over into playing the piano myself. I stopped piano lessons when I was eleven. After receiving her sheet music as a gift, I began to play again. I really had no idea what a true gift it was.

This is beautiful. I can’t tell you how many times playing music has saved my life. I use it as a coping/ healing mechanism for my learning challenges.

Thank you so very much for sharing your musical story. You are an extraordinary advocate for Music Therapy and Music Therapists everywhere. Lisa Kauffman, MT-BC

Oh Yes Dear Lady! You are Very much a household name! As well as an Amazing Mother, Musician and huge Inspiration to millions!! God Bless You All and Thank You from here to Forever for your Music and Strength you have given ME!!! 🎹🎼🎶🎵💞💖💕

Robin has always been a sharer of her gifts. I appreciate her gifts of friendship and of music. Congratulations on this presentation. Wonderful!

love your story, so reminds me of her sharing "why can't they teach us all they want us to know with a song, i remember all of them , but when they start talking? it in one ear and out the other . . . now i am to the point of thinking, if they can't teach ir in a song, it ought be voluntary. . . and only if wanting because of its resonating with them

Beautifully done presentation. Thank you for willing to share your story about your daughter, Valerie. I didn't realize the "wholistic" nature of music until now. I enjoyed the story you shared about the nursing home and about the birth of your daughter. The effect of music--not just psychologically but also medically--is more far-reaching than I had realized. Thank you very much for your presentation.

As a Californian, a San Franciscan from Burlingame, I am in London and have many years experience as a musician and artist, 2 full-time callings. I've had similar if not identical experiences performing in institutions all over England and the continent and with catatonic patients just like you have. One woman hadn't spoken for many years until our music awakened her as she sang along with her son holding her handscabd cuddling I couldn't keep my tears from running down my face. Another time after playing the Brahms Trio with Britain and the world's finest cellist and pianist, two elderly women came up to me and held my hands with eyes full of tears and running down their faces to thank me. I had no words but was still and transfixed by the feelings of humanity and the fullness of life filling me with gratitude, humility and love. This has been my life all of my life in spite of poverty, monarchical class-system, envy, cruelty, unkindness, despair but joy and love in my heart and beauty. Neoliberalism and populism, race hatred, bigotry and fear throughout Western civilisation saddens me but I am personally blessed and share my music and the wisdom with everyone I come into contact with, especially the ones who are oblivious, cold, unawake and dead inside. Serious high art music and music-making makes people better human beings. Science is proving that more and more as we begin to scratch the surface of the most complicated thing in the universe/multiverse/cosmos: the brain.

Incredibly moving. What a legend you are Robin.

The Valerie song is Stunningly BEAUTIFUL! Thank you so much for this presentation!

So beautiful and heartwarming. God bless her. Thank you.

i really love this song at the end. she is wonderful human being great talented gifted. thank you

My favorite TedTalk. Thank you Robin!!!

The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Music is the key to everything.

Robin I just came across your clip. I am a pianist, composer, arranger and recently I feel the strong connection with music as therapy and for healing- Onaje Allan Gumbs

Awe Inspiring Senora.. Muchos Amor por V & the eternal Spielberg Tribe ... :)

You are such a beautiful inspiration!

Beautiful story. Beautiful music. Thank you for sharing your heart.

You have made my morning with this beautiful video. Later in my life I am trying to learn piano because it does indeed bring peace to me. But on a larger note - I was a 17 year NICU nurse and the story of your daughter was heartfelt and brought back so many memories of caring for 26 weekers (and their parents). Thank you again and God bless.

Let's work together to make music more of a part of our lives. We all know how important it is.

Wow got tears here.! Like the music team to "Medicen Man"..! Well done took me on a jorniey and ended where it started beautiful.. Love music like that a sophisticated Journey with many layers..! Organize like a great poem with a closing statement where it began..!

It does change lives. Rest In Peace XXX Tentacion 💞

I found myself really liking this lady, not just her incredible story. One of my favorite TED'S.💛🎹

This wonderful talk brought back a special memory of my Mother in the assisted living facility. She was "dancing" with her walker to music played by another caring pianist. Thank you!

So wonderful. Thank you, Robin. I know the healing power of music. My Dad was one of the Sherman Brothers. :)

I am 58 y-o and five or so years ago I found out I could sing going out to karaoke joints. About a year later an important change came into my life and family and friends chose to exclude me completely so I ended up alo... buying myself all it takes to record myself at home so in the end, I am very lucky cause I found out I could sing. Thank you Miss Spielberg, thank you for the reminder and the inspiration.

She is the essence of music and music is the essence of her soul,music is the universal language of the souls of all creatures,it is the language of life and the Como's If music be the life force then play on Beautiful and eloquent

So enjoyed listening to Robin sharing from the heart. Agree with her comments on the healing effects of music.

I worked in a geriatric facility in Stockton in the early 80's and would work on my compositions on the piano in the lunch room and the residents would come in and listen, so I made a habit of it. Great memories...

The healing power of music indeed and more specifically, your music, Robin. Thank you.

Your daughter has been blessed with music from your heart ❤ I have no doubt that she will have the same gift. The gift of healing one's heart, mind, body and spirit.

Thank you Robin for sharing your story.....it brings hope. Lots of love and blessings to Valerie.

Thanks for your wonders through music to heal your child and your own internal self . We need people open to this depth of understanding.. Love your harmonics piece called Dream. Thanks for sharing you wonderful world. Growing up with music is life changing.. Never let it leave you.

Thank you for such beautiful life shared with everyone. Music is hopeful with dreams for us starting from today to tomorrow to "When I get better and get to go home" kind of way.

I posted this video on my music consciousness blog, Whole Music Experience. I too believe in the healing power of music.

This touched my heart in so many ways, thank you for connecting and sharing this incredible message. MUSIC IS LIFE!

Such an elequant exposition of the power of music. I knew this, but have never heard it explained quite so powerfully as this. I also learned piano young and also sang but didn't realize just how much therapy it supplied till looking back at time I got the most devistating news of my life to that point and I "processed" it by playing the piano for a solid hour plus - started out playing very loud and angry tones but eventually got to playing more peaceful and softly... and was able to walk out of the piano room seeing and thinking clearly instead of being traumatized. I have also read about stroke victims who lost their speech who were able to regain communication by switching to singing as that uses a different part of the brain. I have also heard of research into how harp music is especially healing for the heart. I have been encouraged by this to re-focus my efforts in creating music.

As always, Robin holds nothing back in demonstrating to the public how powerful music can be...especially that of the pianoforte! I admire my dear friend, Robin, in her ability to teach both musicians & non-musicians alike, and hope that the youth become inspired to open that door, step foot within, & marvel at all the positive that music brings.

Carnegie hall isn't famous!?? An absolutely wonderful talk, so inspiring and sad at the same time.i have a niece, Chelsea, who works in NICU in a teaching hospital in Northern England. Thank you so very much for sharing this and and all of your wonderful work. May you and your family have a lovely Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year, from a friend in England.❤️🎄🎶🎸x

What an inspiration Robin. Thank you for sharing such wonderful insight, for sharing your heart wrenching stories, and for the beautiful music. I know first hand the truth of what you say. The power of music cannot be understated, and thank you for being brave enough to share! I hope your message is well heard and well heeded.

Wonderful talk, Robin. So heartfelt and moving. You're simply the best!

A few years ago I worked in a nursing home and when I had the time from my other duties, I would go into the alzheimer unit and play my guitar and sing with them and I was amazed that many of the songs I would sing some of them could sing all the lyrics as good as I could. I started teach my two children music early on. I would sings with them and play my guitar and keyboard and teach them many songs. I tuaght my four year old son to play twinkle twinkle little star on my violin but he was so small it looked like a cello to him and my daughter who was eight years old at the time I also taught her the same song. Neither one of the play the violin but may daughter played clarinet in school and did very good at it and then I bought her a piano keyboard and she plays it and I boaught my son a guitar and he is very good playing the guitar, harmonica and piano.......Sorry, I am long winded, maybe because I have been playing saxophone for 50 years......

Thank you! Love you!

I think there are 2 types of music listeners. People who listen to uplifting music to feel better and people who seek confirmations in the music they are listening to, to get to an expression of their emotion they can't normally access or express very well. I'm entirely unable to do the first. I'm of the latter kind, more like a phoenix, who first needs to burn to the ground and then rise from the ashes. My favorite band in emotional turmoil is Radiohead. The singer Thom Yorke is also an amazing pianist. Soul crushingly beautiful.

wise soul...plays so lovingly...muses all around...robin is an invisible saint...thank you

Beautiful, moving, soul stirring TED talk! Bravo Robin!

Dear Robin, I happened upon this wonderful video via Piano World and boy am I glad I did. Amazing story and so well-shared. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I needed this today. Now I'm going to the iTunes store to buy one of your CDs. with much appreciation, Carol Logen

Music is emotions and emotions run's everything... The impact is exponential when the clarity and the purity is not altered. I am an Hi-Fi audio manufacturer and i can confirm you how much my level of happiness increase since i am listening more often our new amplifier... took's us 10 years to develop it. My first goal was to make money... It change quickly to only listen to it. I deeply understand what you are meaning here.

It’s wonderful see the world of possibilities through Music. Thank You 🙏🏽 💜💛❤️🌈

Bravo! Awesome! I can't tell what is more inspiring, the talk or the song...

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I believe with all my heart how powerful the sounds are, how music heals. I loved the music you played. May God continue blessing you and your family🤗

I had the good fortune of meeting Robin a few years ago at a conference. She is an amazingly talented pianist, composer, author and teacher. Her talk here on the healing power of music is a personal testimony that will touch you in a powerful way. Thank you, Robin, for reminding us what is important, of the individual differences that make us human, and of the power we all have to positively impact the lives of others.

Tears drop from my eyes..thank you..

An extremely important topic treated in an artistic and meaningful way. This is a beautiful video that will help so many people. Music has always been magic, but thanks to the efforts of music therapists and artists like Robin Spielberg, music has also become an accepted way to guide us through life's most challenging moments.

This is just beautiful must see 🙏🙏😊😊

Love this Robin! I have a few stories of my own as to how music can heal... This is just an awesome talk - thank-you for sharing this story - it touched me deeply.

What a Truly inspiring woman and talk! Thank you for your heartfelt presentation! 🌻♥️

So nice to see this sharing at Tedx!

You have a beautiful spirit!

Simply WOW! I was touched by the song and the story. It's a message that I see as hope for us all.

I'd love to listen to it again and again, it's so beautiful.Watching her playing the piano sets me to tears.

Love your body of work and your stories, Robin! We met in CT at a First Congregational Church (bloomfield) concert. I play Dreaming of Summer in my work and private spaces regularly. - Bren in CT

For the past two years I have been listening to and enjoying your music on iheartradio. I've always thought that you composed the most beautiful, moving, and relaxing music to complement the joys and sorrows of life. After listening to your TEDX talk, I realized that you are a wonderful person as well! Thanks for sharing your story! It was really inspiring and I plan on using music in the future with my career in healthcare.

Thank you for sharing ur gift & ur discovery. You are truly a beautiful soul within a beautiful human form. Mother Nature has blessed you something to learn from, so you can share it with the world . Thank you! bless you and your love ones. :)

Amazing song

Beautifully played. Thank you.♥️

I played your America the Beautiful in a Celebration of Life service this morning for a friend of my family. He had a very decorated career in the US Navy. This is a wonderful talk.