Resonant Minds: The Transformative Power of Music, One Note at a Time

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By Sara Leila Sherman and Morton Sherman
Published May 2025

Resonant Minds: The Transformative Power of Music, One Note at a Time invites readers to reimagine music as a dynamic, interactive force that reshapes how we live, learn, and connect. By blending personal stories—recalling childhood car rides where “Ode to Joy” was joyfully reinvented with animal noises and made-up words—with cutting-edge research and practical insights, the father/daughter writing team, Sara Leila Sherman and Mort Sherman, PhD, help us understand how to use music intentionally.

Featuring a distinct approach, this book includes interactive QR codes that bring the music to life. This immersive journey reveals how integrating mindful listening action—whether breathing with Bach or shaking it off with Taylor Swift—can reduce stress, boost creativity, and strengthen communities.

With a foreword by Goldie Hawn and praise from thought leaders like Doris Kearns Goodwin and Bena Kallick, Resonant Minds is a call to transform our everyday musical experiences into a source of joyful, life-changing action, one note at a time.

About the Authors Table of Contents AASA Members Save

Sara Leila Sherman is a distinguished classical musician and educator, renowned for her work in making music accessible to young audiences through her children's concert series, Mozart for Munchkins, and the non-profit Little Mozart Foundation. Blending music and mindfulness, she has pioneered innovative approaches that empower educators and parents to use music as a tool for mindful learning and personal growth at esteemed institutions as Lincoln Center Kids, The New York Public Library, and Hudson Yards to ensure music is available to all communities.

Morton Sherman is the retired Senior Associate Executive Director of AASA, known for his visionary leadership during a 25-year career as a superintendent dedicated to elevating academic standards and promoting equitable education. Throughout his career, Mort championed initiatives that addressed achievement gaps and empowered communities, leaving a legacy of systemic change and a commitment to fostering inclusive, impactful learning environments.

Foreword by Goldie Hawn
Prelude
Chapter 1 - Fantasia
Chapter 2 - Sotto Voce
Chapter 3 - Rubato: Embracing the Way It Is
Chapter 4 - Themes and Variations
Chapter 5 - Forte: Building on Possibilities
Chapter 6 - Tacet: Focus, Centering as an Essential Disposition
Chapter 7 - Legato: Understanding the Long Arc of Mindful Actions
Chapter 8 - Counterpoint: Executive Function
Chapter 9 - Ostinato: Developing Mindful Habits for Life
Chapter 10 - Tutti: Grooving Together and Creating Community
Chapter 11 - Espressivo: Playing with Expression
Chapter 12 - Vivace: Conducting; Leading Through Resonance
Chapter 13 - Harmony: Transcending Barriers; Creating Opportunities
Chapter 14 - Coda

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