Singing to Promote Integration, Wellbeing and Resilience

Not mastering an official language impacts the employability of immigrants, makes them more susceptible to health problems, and creates significant barriers to feelings of belonging. 

In recent years, singing and music have increasingly been used to support language learning and integration of immigrant children and adults around the world. However, systematically controlled studies are needed to obtain the evidence necessary to influence policy in this area and better understand the scope of the effects of singing on language, integration, and well-being. This project builds on the expertise of the SingWell project (external link) .

1. How effective is the choir and its evaluation tools in terms of reliability, efficiency, unintrusiveness, and cultural competencies?

2. To what extent does participation in choir promote greater feelings of connectedness and improved well-being compared to those who do not participate in the choir?

In phase 1, a proof-of-concept study will be conducted employing both quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate the within session (pre- to post) effects of choir as well as participants’ experience.

In phase 2, the learnings from the proof-of-concept study will eventually seed a new study that will involve an initial randomized control trial at a Toronto-based Centre that offers part-time language courses for new immigrants. Beyond language learning, the team will work with stakeholders in immigrant communities to co-design SingWell programs to evaluate the impact on cultural maintenance, cross-cultural exchange, intercultural connection, intergenerational resilience, and social cohesion.

The project is in progress. The multisite study involves teams in Toronto and Montreal, and data collection is nearing completion. Program evaluation of existing group signing initiatives in Toronto is ongoing, with multiple partnerships and outcomes also underway.

Publications and media

Glauser, W. (2025, January 15). The healing power of harmony: Psychology researchers tune in to the benefits of singing for people with communication challenges, reducing stress and social isolation. TorontoMet University Magazine..

Past events and conferences: 

• "Music as Medicine: The Science and Clinical Practice," workshop contribution by F. Russo, December 14, 2025.

• "Can Music be Medicine?" oral presentation by F. Russo, X-Music Night, Yokohama, May 28, 2025.

• "The SingWell Project: The promise of singing-based interventions to support people living with communication challenges," oral presentation by A. Good and F. Russo, UOttawa MHRI Speaker Series, February 12, 2025.

• "Singing for Health and Wellbeing," oral presentation by A. Good and F. Russo, Singing for Health Research Project Speaker Series, January 16, 2025.

• "SingWell: Benefits of Group Singing for Older Adults," oral presentation by A. Good and F. Russo, 50+ Program, Chang School, Toronto Metropolitan University, June 25, 2024.

• "Exploring the Impact of Group Singing for Newcomers," oral presentation by H. Sukhon, TMU Bridging Divides Retreat Fall 2024, October 10, 2024.

• "Music as Medicine: A brief history, persistent challenges, and potential solutions," oral presentation by F. Russo, University of Southern California, November 2, 2023.

• "Music as Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities," keynote by F. Russo, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Section, Canadian Psychological Association, June 4, 2023.

• "Singing for Social Connection," public talk by A. Good and F. Russo, Schwartz Reisman Centre, December 4, 2023.

• SingWell (external link) 

Community; language; language learning; migrant integration; singing