Composer's Note
I’ve always known that I wanted to compose music that speaks to people. I write for both large and small ensembles, for the stage and the screen. My compositions are designed to inspire and connect with anyone who listens to them. I’m passionate about breaking boundaries and making classical music more accessible to people through media scoring, imaginative concert experiences, and collaboration with artists in and outside of music. Although I specialize in classical, I’m interested in all kinds of music, and I use that curiosity to push myself to create something new and unique that will resonate with audiences around the world.
ECHO has been a joy and privilege to work on, especially with this team of amazing and kind-hearted individuals. I never imagined having the opportunity to write music (backed by science!) to create healthier communities! I hope everyone enjoys exploring their hearts in Echoville as much as I’ve enjoyed imagining how it sounds :)
-Bella Rose Kelly
Music and the heart
As you listen, notice how your body responds.- Is your heart beating faster or slower?
- Do you feel more energized or more relaxed?
- Are you breathing differently?
Even though emotions begin in the brain, music can influence how your body reacts physically. Music can lower the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (which controls the "fight or flight" response), reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and increase dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure and motivation1. These changes can help improve both emotional well-being and heart health.
Did you know that different types of music can cause different physical reactions? A song can affect your heart!
For example:
- Fast, energetic music (like upbeat pop) often raises heart rate and breathing2.
- Slow, soothing music (like classical or acoustic pieces) can lower heart rate and reduce stress2.
This is called “entrainment,” where your body's rhythms, like your heartbeat and breathing, start to match the tempo of the music you're hearing3. It’s similar to how people naturally start walking in step with a drumbeat. Just like working out increases heart rate and improves circulation, music can stimulate the heart in similar ways. While not a replacement for physical exercise, music can regulate and support cardiovascular and emotional well-being.
1Fleming, R., & Robb, S. L. (2020). Can Music Touch the Heart? Commentary on the Benefits of Music Listening for People Living With Heart Failure. Journal of cardiac failure, 26(7), 552–554.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2020.06.013
2Darki, C., Riley, J., Dadabhoy, D. P., Darki, A., & Garetto, J. (2022). The effect of classical music on heart rate, blood pressure, and mood. Cureus, 14(7), e27348.https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.27348
3Juslin, P. N., Harmat, L., Barradas, G. T., Omstedt, G., & Redtzer, V. (2024). Rhythmic entrainment of heart rate as a mechanism for musical emotion induction: A plausible hypothesis in need of evidence. Psychology of Music. Advance online publication.https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356241302809