Communication is an essential part of life in every way. Musical sound can effectively express and affect emotions despite having language barriers. The Sound of Emotion is Mai Matsumoto’s whimsical 3D animation exploring these ideas. A native of Japan now living in New York, Matsumoto often relies on finding alternative means of expression for effective communication. She emphasizes her own experience entering a new environment in a playful manner through the metaphor of music, specifically through the use of the piano. For Matsumoto, music is a nonverbal tool of communication, one she believes is universal.