When Music Brings Us Together
“It never fails to brighten our day and nourish our souls.”
The Moment She Was Experiencing
Gwendolyn regularly participates in the Healing with Music sessions at Sunrise. Like many residents, she values activities that bring well-being, companionship, and an enjoyable way to stay active.
Life in a senior living community offers opportunities for connection, but it can also present challenges related to mobility, memory, and social engagement. Some residents experience physical limitations that affect their ability to move freely. Others live with cognitive changes that may make it more difficult to access memories or fully participate in group activities. Yet despite these challenges, there is a shared desire: to feel connected, included, and part of something meaningful. Music serves as the key that opens doors to memories and brings people together.
What She Was Looking For
Gwendolyn did not join the classes seeking a specific transformation; she simply enjoyed an activity that contributed to her physical, emotional, and social well-being. However, over time she discovered that music offers much more than entertainment.
She values spaces where she can feel alive, connected to meaningful memories, and surrounded by people with whom she can share enriching experiences. Through these sessions, she finds joy, community, and moments that brighten her week.
The Journey
Each session begins with gentle warm-up exercises designed to support mobility and strengthen the body in a safe and accessible way. Gradually, the music begins to fill the room.
The songs, carefully selected from the decades that shaped the residents’ youth, awaken memories, emotions, and smiles. Often, something remarkable happens: people who believed they had forgotten certain songs begin singing every word. Memories that have remained dormant for years resurface through a familiar melody.
Music becomes a bridge between the past and the present. At the same time, the circle of participants creates a sense of belonging. Those who are able to stand dance gently; those who use wheelchairs participate by moving their arms, swaying to the rhythm, or simply enjoying the shared experience.
Memory Care residents also join the sessions, creating spontaneous moments of connection—shared glances, smiles, and a sense of unity that transcends individual differences.
What Changed
Over time, Gwendolyn continued to witness meaningful changes within the community. Music did not simply create joy for one hour; its effects seem to extend far beyond the class itself.
Residents became more engaged, more connected, and more involved in community life. Some individuals who initially struggled to move their arms gradually developed greater range of motion and confidence in their physical abilities. Others experienced moments of clarity, recognition, and participation that arise naturally through music.
What began as a weekly activity continues to evolve into a holistic wellness experience that nourishes the body, mind, heart, and spirit.
“I could write a book about all the benefits that Maritta’s Healing with Music class brings to the residents of Sunrise.
Maritta is a kind, thoughtful, and inclusive facilitator. This activity is one of my favorite weekly experiences for many reasons. We begin each session with warm-up exercises that help improve our mobility and strengthen our muscles, beautifully complementing the physical therapy many of us receive.
The class also supports our cognitive abilities. Much of the music comes from our younger years, and many of us are surprised to remember lyrics we have not heard in decades. We sing, laugh, and reconnect with meaningful memories from our past.
They say music is a universal language, and this class truly proves it. It never fails to brighten our day and nourish our souls. It also fosters a strong sense of community. Maritta makes sure everyone feels included, regardless of their abilities.
I have witnessed residents become happier, more engaged, and more involved in the community while improving their mobility and range of motion through these sessions.”
Maritta’s Reflection
Music has an extraordinary ability to reach places where words often cannot. Every week, I have the privilege of witnessing how a single song can awaken a memory, inspire a smile, encourage movement, or create a moment of genuine connection between people who may never have interacted before.
What is most beautiful about this experience is seeing how music continues to become a bridge that connects different stories, abilities, and life experiences.
Transformation is not an event that happens only once. It is a living process that continues to unfold through every gathering, every shared song, and every moment of human connection.
Often, transformation occurs when we create a space where joy, belonging, and our shared humanity can be expressed freely.
Practices Present in This Experience
Healing with Music
Adapted Gentle Movement
Cognitive Stimulation Through Music
Community Inclusion and Participation
Emotional and Social Connection
Mindful Presence