[Vital Aging] Music, Memory, and Brain Aging, with Julene Johnson

Special Event

[Vital Aging] Music, Memory, and Brain Aging, with Julene Johnson

Thursday, November 13, 2025
Thursday, November 13, 2025

This month's Vital Aging gathering explores the vital role music plays in enriching our lives as we age, highlighting both its scientific and social dimensions. UCSF professor Julene Johnson will share insights into how and why engaging with music — whether through listening, singing, or playing — supports cognitive vitality, emotional well-being, and social connection in later life. 

About the Speaker

Julene K Johnson, PhD is a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the UCSF Institute for Health & Aging. Her research program focuses on developing and testing music-based interventions to promote health among older adults, and understanding cognitive function among diverse older adults.

Details

  • This event is for members only
  • It will be held online
  • Free for OLLI members; $15 for Best of OLLI subscribers
[Vital Aging] Music, Memory, and Brain Aging, with Julene Johnson

Winter Term Begins

Special Event

Winter Term Begins

Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Tuesday, January 20, 2026

On the course roster? AI, the Supreme Court, the Declaration of Independence, female sexuality in fiction, California noir, "The Boss," art that wows, Naples, film, and more. Learn about all the benefits of an OLLI @Berkeley membership — access to dozens of courses, speaker events, field trips, town halls, workshops on healthy aging, socials, travel and more — as well as our special offer for new members and our fee assistance program.

Winter Term Begins

Vladimir Putin (Best of OLLI)

Course

Vladimir Putin (Best of OLLI)

Monday, October 13, 2025
Sunday, March 29, 2026

A moody portrait of Vladimir Putin head down in shadows
In this course, we will trace the evolution of Vladimir Putin's personality, beliefs, and behaviors from his childhood in Leningrad (born: 1952), through his career in the KGB in the 1980s, to his rise within the Moscow political hierarchy in the 1990s, and through his two-decades-plus as leader of Russia since the year 2000. To what extent were Putin's actions as president predetermined by his childhood personality and his adult experience in the KGB? To what extent were they shaped by domestic and foreign events experienced during his presidency?

We will trace his choices with an eye to the question: why did he order the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and prosecute this war as brutally as he has?

Faculty Bio

George W. Breslauer is Professor of Political Science at UC Berkeley, where he has been a faculty member since 1971. He is the author or co-author of seven books, and the editor or co-editor of six others — all on aspects of Soviet, Communist, or post-Soviet politics and foreign relations. His most-recent book is The Rise and Demise of World Communism (Oxford University Press, 2021). In 1997, Professor Breslauer won the Distinguished Teaching Award of the Social Sciences Division. In 1998, he was appointed “Chancellor’s Professor” for combining exceptional performance in scholarship, teaching, and service to the University. In 2014, he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through March 19
  • Available to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
  • Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

Member Praise for George Breslauer

I don’t quite know where to begin with my praise and appreciation. But let me start with a very big and sincere thank you to Professor Breslauer for the willingness to invest such time and thoughtfulness into preparing and providing such a fascinating course! I learned so much through and through.

For me, the highlights of each session were without doubt the Q&A when he responded to a wide variety of queries with well considered, nuanced and insightful wisdom that further illuminated the subject.

Faculty Q&A

Vladimir Putin (Best of OLLI)

Fifty Years of San Francisco Jazz, 1916–1966 (Best of OLLI)

Course

Fifty Years of San Francisco Jazz, 1916–1966 (Best of OLLI)

Monday, October 13, 2025
Sunday, March 29, 2026

Colorful painting of a man playing the trumpet

San Francisco music and entertainment embraced individuality, innovation and novelty. Early Jazz flourished in the bawdy Barbary Coast quarter. Lu Watters launched a worldwide musical rebellion reviving early Jazz style. Asian singers, dancers and entertainers found liberty in San Francisco’s ethnic nightclubs. Known as “Harlem of the West,” The Fillmore district was a dynamic jazz quarter. Oakland and nearby Russell City were a nexus for the West Coast Blues. North Beach nightlife became a world-class entertainment destination while the innovative Jazz Casual television series featured the greatest names in Jazz. Each zoom class offers a dozen or more audio-visual clips, many created expressly for the course.

Faculty Bio

Dave Radlauer is an award-winning radio broadcaster and historian specializing in early jazz. He is the host of Jazz Rhythm, a radio show which explores the works of well-known and obscure musicians of the genre. 

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through Mar. 29
  • Available to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
  • Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

Member Praise for SF Jazz

Dave Radlauer and the course were exceptional in every way!

The videos and slideshows Dave put together were informative and entertaining, full of relevant material and a pleasure to watch.

Fifty Years of San Francisco Jazz, 1916–1966 (Best of OLLI)

Contemporary Mexico: Navigating the Future (Best of OLLI)

Course

Contemporary Mexico: Navigating the Future (Best of OLLI)

Monday, October 13, 2025
Sunday, March 29, 2026

A rally in support of Claudia Sheinbaum
This course examines the rise of the Morena Party and its implications, including its meanings for the country’s relationship with its most important trading partner, the U.S. In Mexico’s recent general election of 2024, the party won 24 governorships of the country’s 32 states, as well as the presidency, electing the first woman president in the history of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum. Yet, the results of the elections raised important questions: Is Mexico becoming a one-party nation? Have social and economic conditions improved enough to lessen the motivation for Mexicans to cross the border into the U.S. seeking higher wages? Will remissions from the U.S begin to dwindle? And how will President Sheinbaum navigate relations with the current administration of the U.S. in the midst of Mexico’s internal challenges?

Faculty Q&A

Alex Saragoza is professor emeritus of history in the comparative ethnic studies program at UC Berkeley. He has taught courses on Mexico, Cuba, the Latino electorate and the 2016 and 2020 elections.  

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through Mar. 29
  • Available to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
  • Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

Member Praise for Contemporary Mexico

Alex knew so much about the subject and clearly explained all aspects to us. He was well organized and stopped his discussion with plenty of time for questions as he knew there would be a lot.

Everything worked well. Alex is an engaging and knowledgeable lecturer and his slides were very informative. He is also a really nice human being.

Excellent overview. Timely information. Appreciated personal insights & anecdotes woven into the lectures.

Faculty Interview

Contemporary Mexico: Navigating the Future (Best of OLLI)

Great Women of the Blues (Best of OLLI)

Course

Great Women of the Blues (Best of OLLI)

Monday, October 13, 2025
Sunday, March 29, 2026

Collage of record covers of great Blues womenMost people think of the blues as a man and his guitar. But women like Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Memphis Minnie, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Nina Simone, and Bonnie Raitt helped spread this music around the world, with songs of power, resilience and a big side dish of attitude. Using  projected photo archives, audio and film clips, and sing-a-longs, instructor and Blues vocalist Pamela Rose will give much historical and cultural context to America’s most enduring art form while celebrating the lively, ribald, poignant music created by these feisty Blueswomen!

Faculty Bio

Pamela Rose is a San Francisco jazz and blues vocalist. With seven recordings under her belt, Rose has toured nationally, celebrating remarkable women in blues and jazz. She is on the faculty of the California Jazz Conservatory.

This is a Best of OLLI course

  • Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through March 29
  • Available to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
  • Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

Member Praise for Pamela Rose

Pamela Rose is a wonderful instructor. She is very knowledgeable about the subject matter, personally invested, and enthusiastic.

I loved Pamela's joie-de-vivre and obvious delight in her subject. Plus her voice is amazing!

Pamela's enthusiasm and passion was contagious and her presentation and organization was excellent. 

Great Women of the Blues (Best of OLLI)

John James Audubon and The Birds of America (Best of OLLI)

Course

John James Audubon and The Birds of America (Best of OLLI)

Monday, October 13, 2025
Sunday, March 29, 2026

One of Audubon's drawings of a pink birdJohn James Audubon was a French-American artist and naturalist who, starting in the 1820s, set out to document every bird in the U.S. The result was his masterwork The Birds of America, a collection of 435 hand-painted bird prints, considered by many to be the finest book ever published. In this course, you’ll learn about Audubon’s early life and his artistic methods. We’ll also take a deep dive into the prints themselves. We will end by considering Audubon’s legacy. This course is part of a long-term ongoing investigation of nature through the consilience of art and science.

Faculty Bio

Eric J. Simon, Ph.D. has been a professor of Biology for over 25 years. An avid traveler and award-winning photographer, Eric leads educational international trips for both undergraduates and lifelong learners. Prof. Simon earned his Ph.D. at Harvard and is the author of a widely used series of college biology textbooks used by students in over 40 countries.

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available the moment you sign up through March 29 in Member Dashboards. Learn more.
  • Available to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
  • Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

Member Praise for Eric Simon

Very engaging instructor who clearly loved his topic and was very knowledgeable. His enthusiasm was contagious. Very receptive to questions - would start each class by answering questions he'd received and researched.

Thoroughly engaging presentations which were organized, lively and moved at a good pace. I appreciated Professor Simon's enthusiasm, clarity and sense of humor.

Faculty Q&A

John James Audubon and The Birds of America (Best of OLLI)

Left Behind: Understanding the Rightward Drift in Global Politics (Best of OLLI)

Course

Left Behind: Understanding the Rightward Drift in Global Politics (Best of OLLI)

Monday, October 13, 2025
Sunday, March 29, 2026

A red wrapped globe in a red background

One of the more surprising results of the November 2024 election in the United States was a noticeable drift to the political right in demographic groups that traditionally have moved to the left (younger voters, for example). Is this a one-off result, or part of a permanent trend? With stronger showings for conservative, right-wing parties in elections all around the world, it is worth examining the causal factors behind this perceptible rightward drift and questioning whether it is a momentary glitch or more permanent shift.

Faculty Bio

Darren Zook teaches in political science and global studies at UC Berkeley. His areas of interest include comparative politics, human rights and international law. He has received numerous teaching awards for his creativity in the classroom, and was recently named one of the “Top Ten Most Inspiring Professors at UC Berkeley” by College Magazine. He lectures all around the world, and has published six books. 

This is a Best of OLLI Course

  • Best of OLLI courses are popular courses recorded a previous term
  • Videos are available to watch the moment you sign up through March 29.
  • Available to Annual Plus, Premium Plus, Best of OLLI and Fee Assistance members. Learn about membership.
  • Current Annual and Premium members can upgrade to Annual Plus or Premium Plus for an additional $10

Member Praise for Darren Zook

Dr. Zook is one of the best teachers I've ever had and I'm 80!

Darren Zook is an amazing teacher. He's a well-organized, extremely knowledgeable, and always engaging.

I have taken several classes with Darren Zook and will take several more. His scope and depth of knowledge is extraordinary. And he is able to communicate it effectively and effortlessly. 

Faculty Q&A

Left Behind: Understanding the Rightward Drift in Global Politics (Best of OLLI)

A Brave New World? The U.S. Edition

Course

A Brave New World? The U.S. Edition

Thursday, February 12, 2026
Thursday, February 26, 2026

a fractured U.S. flag, torn asunder
In spite of what have often been deep ideological differences, Democrats and Republicans have for most of American history accepted the fundamental rules and institutions of American democracy. Now, however, we live in a moment of hyperpartisan rancor and divide, one in which talk of civil war no longer seems far-fetched, and one in which the fundamental rules of the political game can be questioned, opposed. or even ignored. This course will examine the current political landscape of the United States and will map possible pathways into the future. Not all is yet lost, but there is much work to be done.

Faculty Bio

Darren Zook teaches in political science and global studies at UC Berkeley. His areas of interest include comparative politics, human rights and international law. He has received numerous teaching awards for his creativity in the classroom, and was recently named one of the “Top Ten Most Inspiring Professors at UC Berkeley” by College Magazine. He lectures all around the world, and has published six books. 

This is an In-Person, Livestreamed + Recorded Course

  • Classes meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 202/204 (2nd floor), at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
  • Classes will also stream live, and be video recorded
  • You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

  • Course starts on Thurs., Feb. 12, and ends on Thurs., Feb. 26
  • Classes meet for 3 weeks, 2 hours per session (10–noon)
  • All course materials will remain in Member Dashboards through March 29

Member Praise for Darren Zook

Dr. Zook is one of the best teachers I've ever had and I'm 80!

Darren Zook is an amazing teacher. He's a well-organized, extremely knowledgeable, and always engaging.

I have taken several classes with Darren Zook and will take several more. His scope and depth of knowledge is extraordinary. And he is able to communicate it effectively and effortlessly. 

Faculty Q&A

A Brave New World? The U.S. Edition
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