The Origin of Their Vision

The project stems from shared experiences and a passion for music and movement. Mi-Eun Kim, who has performed extensively in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, has witnessed firsthand the physical toll that playing the piano can take on musicians. "Widespread injuries among fellow pianists can derail careers, which is why it's important to explore how we move while playing," she explains.

Namburi, who holds a Ph.D. in experimental neuroscience from MIT, has focused his studies on biomechanics—specifically how efficient and expressive movements can enhance performance. By drawing on practices from disciplines like dance and fencing, he has discovered principles that apply equally to musicians.

From Idea to Reality

The collaboration took shape in October 2023 after initial discussions earlier in the year. A chance encounter at MIT’s Immersion Lab, involving motion capture technology and a captivating performance of Chopin, piqued Kim’s interest. The lab, dedicated to understanding complex data through visualization, provided the perfect setting for their joint endeavor.

Kim was keen to elevate the quality of the research by using a grand piano to achieve the authentic experience musicians crave. “Pianists dream of a perfect instrument— a 9-foot concert grand that responds seamlessly to their intention,” she notes, highlighting the need for a more realistic environment during their studies. They introduced a Spirio grand piano to the lab, which could not only capture the dynamics of their performance but also reproduce it, allowing for unprecedented insights into the art of piano playing.

Unlocking the Secrets of Movement

The groundbreaking setup allowed Kim to observe her natural movements, revealing nuanced differences in her playing style. “In that environment, I could focus purely on the music, without the constraints of a digital keyboard,” she remarked, reinforcing the importance of an authentic playing experience.

In January 2025, Kim and Namburi launched an innovative course called “Biomechanics of Piano Playing,” attracting participants from several prestigious institutions, including MIT, Harvard University, and the University of Toronto. Using cutting-edge technology like motion capture, accelerometers, and ultrasound imaging, they unraveled the physical signals emitted by the body during piano performance.

Their groundbreaking research illustrates that the efficiency and grace of an expert pianist's movements could stem from an inherent elastic mechanism within the body—potentially revolutionizing how piano pedagogy is approached. The duo's ultimate goal is to bridge artistic expression with biomechanical efficiency, effectively reducing the risk of injuries while enhancing the learning process for aspiring musicians.

A New Era in Piano Pedagogy

Kim envisions a shift towards evidence-based teaching methods, moving away from traditional subjective descriptions passed down generations. “There’s immense value in marrying artistic intuition with a scientific understanding of skilled performance,” she asserts.

With their fusion of art and science, Kim and Namburi stand on the brink of transforming how piano playing is not only taught but also experienced, promising to usher in a new era for musicians everywhere—one that prioritizes both expression and health.

As experts continue to explore the relationships between movement, music, and technology, the implications of their research could extend far beyond the realm of piano performance, offering valuable insights applicable across various forms of art and athletics. The future of musical performance is unrolling, and with it, the potential for a generation of musicians to play without limitations.