Reflecting on Passion in Teaching: Music as a Bridge Between Art and Science

Titus Ogunyemi
Sep 6
3 min read

Updated: Sep 15

On August 20, 2025, I had the privilege of speaking at a Children Violin Pedagogy Teacher Training Program (Suzuki Method) —a collaborative effort designed to create an enabling environment for teachers and students to develop their skills in the art of violin playing.

The program was organized by:

Mr. Babatunde Awonuga (a PhD student of the prestigious University of Ibadan, Department of African Studies) – Nigerian violinist, Germany-trained Suzuki trainer and luthier
Mr. David Makinde, CEO of MOD Art (Music School in Lekki, Lagos) – providing facilities and sponsorship
DivineDiligence, USA – providing sponsorship support

Follow-Up Session: September 4, 2025

In a follow-up session with the music teachers of MOD Art, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, I highlighted that too often, music is treated as a standalone subject within the arts. Yet history tells a deeper story: in the classical Quadrivium, music stood alongside:

Arithmetic – the study of numbers in themselves
Geometry – the study of numbers in space
Music (Harmonics) – the study of numbers in time
Astronomy – the study of numbers in space and time

“Nothing is out of reach in learning—music taught me that.”

This deliberate placement recognized music as both an art and a science, cultivating:

Logical reasoning
Creativity
Emotional intelligence
Cultural literacy

My Personal Eureka Moment

My Eureka moment of learning came after performing:

Telemann’s Viola Concerto in G
Bach Suite (1st movement)
Hoffmeister’s Viola Concerto in D…and other pieces from memory.

Coming from a family deeply rooted in African traditional music and education, I have found the interactions between my background and Western classical music to be fascinating and motivating. These experiences during my time in music school helped me conclude that nothing is out of reach in learning. My inspiration comes from God and the gift of music, which continue to guide me in all aspects of life.

Music as a Cognitive Bridge

In countries like the USA and Germany, music is placed at the center of learning, bridging STEM and the humanities. Music strengthens:

Pattern recognition – linked to mathematics
Emotional intelligence – linked to social sciences
Cultural literacy – linked to the humanities

As someone who holds an Associate Diploma in Viola from the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) School of Music, later pursued Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the U.S., and now leverages experience from Amazon AWS in Big Data, I see music not as separate, but as a bridge—a discipline that enriches every field it touches.

Implications for Teachers and Students

Music is more than performance. It is a gateway to critical thinking, resilience, and human connection—skills our students will need throughout life. As educators, parents, and practitioners, we have the opportunity to:

Communicate the cognitive value of music
Encourage creative problem-solving
Build socio-emotional competence
Strengthen logical reasoning

Recommended Books

To deepen my understanding of music, learning, and human potential, I am currently reading:

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin
The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks

Conclusion

Teaching and learning music is not just about technique—it nurtures the mind, heart, and spirit. Music is both a tool for learning and a lens through which students can explore creativity, problem-solving, and socio-emotional growth.

As educators, parents, and practitioners, we must ensure music remains a bridge that connects knowledge, creativity, and human potential.