
Virtual Jazz for the Elderly
No matter where you are, get access to live jazz at no cost.
No matter where you are, get access to live jazz at no cost.
My name is Kaiya Brooks, and I'm a current student at at Harvard and graduate of Crystal Springs Uplands School in the Bay Area. I have a deep passion for jazz music and am interested in the intersection of music and neuroscience, particularly in the areas of child neuro-development, rehabilitation from traumatic brain injury, dementia, autism, psychology, and social-emotional health. I am a member of the Harvard Jazz Orchestra, alumni of the SFJAZZ High School All Stars Combo and Big Band, Downbeat Magazine Award Winner, member of the 2022 Monterey Jazz Festival Women in Jazz Combo, award-winner in jazz for the 2022 YoungArts national competition, and a recipient of the 2022 Jazz at the Ballroom scholarship. Through my experiences and interactions playing for senior residents, hospital patients, and other communities during the pandemic, I have seen the tremendous positive influence of music on the people around me. I intend to continue sharing and exploring the impact of music on neurological processes and social emotional well-being in elderly, youth, and vulnerable populations.
An article highlighting this program appears here.
Virtual Jazz for the Elderly is an organization founded during the summer of 2020 to strengthen community and improve wellbeing and quality of life during the shelter-in-place and in our post-pandemic world. Working with assisted living centers, independent living centers, hospitals, and other community-involved groups, the performances aim to create meaningful connections and provide both performance opportunities for young Bay Area jazz musicians as well as live, virtual jazz performances for isolated and vulnerable populations. Performances are free and include jazz standards primarily from the Great American Songbook and early 20th century to bring back memories for seniors, but vary according to the audience. Performances are one hour long and can be done through a variety of platforms, including zoom and skype. They will include introductions as well as a Q&A session at the end. The concerts are meant to bring back live music, create opportunities for interaction, ease anxiety, and strengthen mental health in this time.
“I really appreciate you helping to brighten their days.”
- E. Y., Rossmoor Senior Living
"Thank you Kaiya! Our patients really enjoy your concerts."
- B. A., San Mateo Hospital
“She has really talked with our residents and made it fun for them,”
- Ethel Caguiat, Ilima at Leihano
“Thank you for taking time out to perform for the assisted living facilities. You don’t know how much impact you have achieved by doing this! So thank you!"
- R. M., The Gardens Senior Living
“Thank you so much for your beautiful performance! We are so very grateful to you and Skylar for sharing your gift of music wtih our clients, caregivers, and families. Keep sharing your gift … It brings so much joy to the world. You truly make a difference.”
- U. T., Bright Star Care
“Thank you so much! The resident always look forward to your programs. Thank you for all you do for the elderly residents as it keeps their spirits up. We are looking forward to seeing you on the 9th of January. Let’s hope 2021 will be a much brighter year for all of us."
- D. P., Wyoming Retirement Center
“I want you to know that you are a true gift, and your kindness, and talent brings a lot of joy to others. Thank you again for a wonderful afternoon of music.”
- S. K., Jewish Family Services LA
"I just wanted you to know that this afternoon at 1:00pm our residents will get their first dose of the vaccine. … I’m hoping I can get you on in time and turn it up loud to help relax our residents. Could be a small group in the living room due to this. Anyway, have a great morning and I will hear you this afternoon! Thanks again for all you do for my residents and other seniors."
- L. S., Brooksdale Absaroka
“Mrs. Buzzi loved the piano concert yesterday! She just brags and brags about you! Thank you for sharing your talent with her!"
- T. F., Red Haven Care Homes
“May you continue in health and happiness to brighten people’s lives with your music and the positive manner in which you present it."
- A. M., Ateret Avot
"They are all excited to listen to your recital again. Thank you so very much for all that you do for our elderly, it helps them have a better quality of life. Looking forward to listening to you again."
- D. P., Wyoming Retirement Center
“Thank you Kaiya! It is so sweet of you to use your time and talent in this way. You are awesome!”
- C. M., The Plaza Assisted Living at Punchbowl
"Thank you so very much for the beautiful entertainment. Our residents loved it."
- S.M., Avanti Senior Living at Covington
“They have been telling all their friends how talented you are and what a joy it was to watch you perform live for them all the way from California. We’d love to have you again soon.”
- C. N., The Plaza Assisted Living at Pearl City
"Thank you so much for playing for us! We all love it, and I know it brings a much needed light to our Residents day. Would you have a time available next week that we could join in?”
- B. E., Monterey Village Senior Living
"It is always a pleasure to listen to you! The residents can’t believe how talented and kind you are at such a young age. You really are!! Thanks for what you do and we look forward to the next time."
- L. S., Brooksdale Absaroka https://websites.godaddy.com/
Angels Senior Living at North Tampa; Tampa, Florida
Ateret Avot; Brooklyn, New York
Atria Senior Living; San Mateo, California
Avanti Senior Living at Covington; Covington, Louisiana
Avanti Senior Living at Augusta Pines; Spring, Texas
Bedford Falls Assisted Living; Bedford, New Hampshire
Bozeman Lodge; Bozeman, Montana
Bright Star Care; Honolulu, Hawaii
Brooksdale Absaroka; Cody, Wyoming
Brooksdale Spring Meadows; Bozeman, Montana
Café Europa - Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles; Los Angeles, California
Chandler Park Assisted Living; Bowling Green, Kentucky
Cypress at Golden Gate; San Francisco, California
Edgewood Fargo; Mandan, North Dakota
Frontier Assisted Living; Bozeman, Montana
Gazebo Senior Living; South Burlington, Vermont
Gordon Manor; Redwood City, California
Lakewood Landing; Mandan, North Dakota
Legacy Living of Jasper; Jasper, Indiana
Lincoln Home Retirement; Newcastle, Maine
Llima at Leihano; Honolulu, Hawaii
Manoa Cottage; Honolulu, Hawaii
Monterey Village Senior Living; Lawrence, Kansas
Peachtree Senior Living; Trussville Alabama
Plaza Assisted Living; Pearl City, Hawaii
Plaza Assisted Living; Mililani, Hawaii
Plaza Assisted Living; Punchbowl, Hawaii
PruittHealth at Carolina Point; Durham North Carolina
Redhaven Care Homes; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
River Crest Senior Living; Oregon City, Oregon
River House Adult Day Center; Cos Cob, Connecticut
Rossmoor Walnut Creek; Walnut Creek, California
San Mateo Hospital; San Mateo, California
Schooner Estates; Auburn, Maine
Sunrise Senior Living; Belmont, California
Sunrise Senior Living; Pinehurst, Colorado
Sunrise Senior Living; Holladay, Utah
Sunrise Senior Living; Seattle, Washington
The Gardens Senior Living; Ocean Springs, Mississippi
The Lakeshore; Seattle, Washington
The Plaza at Kaneohe; Honolulu, Hawaii
The Plaza at Moanalua; Honolulu, Hawaii
Thomas Center; Anchorage, Alaska
University House Wallingford; Seattle, Washington
Wilson Care; Honolulu, Hawaii
Wyoming Retirement Center; Wyoming, Basin
The Sequoias; San Francisco, California
Peninsula Jewish Community Center; Foster City, California
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