I've recently written a paper for my Basic Concepts in Music Education class on the subject of adults and their abilities to continue to learn new skills well into their eighties. I'm very interested in this area primarily because of my own experiences in teaching adults the joys of cello. Also, I recently read the autobiography of John Holt entitled Its Never To Late based on his experiences learning music much later in life. In his case, he started learning cello in his forties, but didn't start to take it seriously until he was well into his fifties. By taking it seriously, I mean he made it his priority and dedicated 4 to 5 hours a day on practice alone. I know some professional musicians who are not that dedicated to their instruments.

Research and understanding into the intricacies of the adult learning process has been extremely limited, subject to past misconceptions about the capacity of the adult brain to continue the learning process well into the later stages of life. Only recently has more of an effort been made to understand the implications of continuing education in the aging brain. Much research has reflected the idea that learning new skills as we age has untold benefits. For example, now scientists are able to prove that we are constantly growing new neurons and that learning new skills could potentially prevent the death of these new neurons. Although the idea that an active brain is the key to a longer, more fulfilling life is nothing new, scientists are just beginning to understand the implications.