Martin Norgaard is Associate Professor of Music Education at Georgia State University in Atlanta where he is collaborating with faculty in neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, occupational therapy, and physics to investigate the cognitive processes underlying improvisation and related therapeutic applications. He received the Dean’s Early Career Award in recognition of “outstanding work” as a faculty member of Georgia State University and is associate faculty of the Neuroscience Institute. In two recent studies involving electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), Dr. Norgaard and his colleagues explored the brain networks underpinning musical improvisation. In another study, he showed that middle school children who receive training in musical improvisation score higher on measures of executive function compared to students who receive traditional music training. His research appears in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Brain Connectivity, The International Journal of Music Education, Music Educators Journal, The String Research Journal and the interdisciplinary journal Music Perception.

Jason received his B.M.E. degree from Baylor University, where he studied with Michael Haithcock, Jeffrey Grogan, and Dr. Larry Vanlandingham. He currently serves as an assistant band director at Dulles Middle School in the Fort Bend Independent School District in Sugar Land, Texas. His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, WASBE, ASCAP, and the Center for the Promotion of Contemporary Composers.