Seattle Universal Math Museum presents
Math Out Loud
Conversations That Bring Math to Life
Math Out Loud is a monthly lecture series designed for the curious, the creative, and the “I didn’t know math could do that” crowd. No prior math knowledge required—just bring your curiosity.
June 17 | How to Create Colorful Music
What if the world you see was a vivid canvas of colors triggered by sound? Jacqueline Cordes joins us to explore the fascinating world of synesthesia—a neurological phenomenon where the senses intertwine to create extraordinary perceptual experiences.
In this talk, you’ll discover how musical elements like tempo and mode shape "chromesthesia" (seeing sound), featuring a case study on the vivid colors of Radiohead and a melodic analysis of the Fibonacci sequence.
The Museum of Flight
June 17 6:00–7:00 PM (VIP reception to follow)
Free (suggested donation $25)
VIP experience available
About the Speaker
Jacqueline Cordes is an award-winning composer, digital artist, and polyglot. Her work centers on "musical chromesthesia," using her synesthesia to conjure immersive and imaginative worlds. A graduate of Pomona College, she was recently honored with multiple 2026 Global Music Awards for her work in original score and experimental composition.
Voices from the Series
We kicked things off in April 2026 with Dan Finkel—educator, puzzle creator, and founder of Math for Love, whose work has reached millions through TED-Ed.
His talk, Billiard Balls and Laser Beams, explored a simple question: if you turned on a light in a room made entirely of mirrors, would the whole room light up… or could some parts remain in darkness?
From there, he took us into reflective geometry—connecting solar power, juggling, chaos, and even unsolved problems.
We kept the momentum going in May with Dr. Talithia Williams—statistician, Harvey Mudd College professor, and host of PBS’s NOVA Wonders.
Her talk, Numbers with a Narrative, explored how mathematics is a living language capable of shaping our world. She took us on a journey through data science and storytelling, showing how lived experiences can transform complex data into impactful narratives. By breaking down how data can challenge personal health assumptions, Dr. Williams inspired us to see how individual voices can completely redefine who does math.
