Stop Ageism!  Dance!

My name is Assaf Suberry. I am a musician, music educator and art studies coordinator, and researcher at Bar-Ilan University where I specialize in diminishing stereotypes through music. I had a cross-cultural music education path, starting with singing at the local synagogue to rocking guitar bands across to Hindustani (Indian) classical music. I earned my musicology and educational director (double bachelor's degree) at Bar-Ilan University. I have been working as a professional guitar artist, band manager, and music educator for the past fifteen years. I played at hundreds of Jewish celebrations and communal events. Through the learning Jewish liturgy (Piyut) I have promoted dialogical pedagogy, Jewish identity examination, and sensitivity to a variety of traditions and identities within school communities.  

Psychology of music, from a developmental perspective, was my interest during my M.Ed studies at Levinsky college of education, where I investigated children’s perceptions of music and emotions. I have presented my work at various in-person and online conferences. I am a member of the Society for Music Perception and Cognition (SMPC), a scholarly organization dedicated to the study of music cognition. My Ph.D. project explores how music and dance could be used to foster better relationships between young and older adults and combat ageism. I believe music has a unique ability to connect communities and bind people together.