It’s Never Too Late

I have always loved working and being with older adults. Among my first singing students was a distinguished gentleman who owned a medical lab. He always loved singing, and wanted to sharpen his skills. I remember his enthusiasm as he arrived at his weekly lessons with a new song fully memorized. 32 years later he still sends me recordings. The genuine expression of joy in his voice reminds me of my purpose. Another student, a retired chemistry professor, was pursuing a music degree and wanted extra help to improve his singing and sight singing skills. His discipline and dedication inspired me. An octogenarian retired doctor came to me for lessons. She always loved opera and was curious to learn how the singers produce such sound. Over the course of her 12 lessons, she thanked me for her deeper appreciation of the performances she attended. 

Over the years, I have worked with adults from all walks of life including engineers, lawyers, teachers, scientists, psychologists, doctors, administrative assistants, and researchers. They  just want to learn how to sing and/or play music. Many of them sing in choirs, theatre productions, rock bands, a celtic choir, and Sweet Adelines Chorus. Some sing in church, some casually with friends (the Singing Buddies, a barbershop quartet), Some are songwriters, some have become accomplished amateur classical singers and perform in opera chorus and solo in concerts. Many aim to play and sing in their retirement. Some have high pressure jobs and come to sing to just release stress, one singer called it her “vocal spa”, I can’t say enough about how these people enrich my life. I am actually still in touch with many of them.  

For those with less musical experience, starting music studies later in life can be a slower process, but the intrinsic rewards are priceless. A great sense of accomplishment is achieved through hours of practice that are also full of health benefits. 

There are those adults who return to music after years of raising a family and/or focusing on their main career. For them, returning to singing and playing feels like riding a bike again. They tell me it fills them with energy and a sense of carefree freedom that they felt in their youth. 

I totally get that, and I feel it too when I pick up my guitar or a drum and sing.   

What we all share is a desire to thrive. Music learning is good for the body, mind, heart and spirit at every single stage of life. 

I will add that singing is a wonderful way to maintain vocal health and fitness. Many professional voice users, and that includes teachers, lawyers, and anyone who uses their voice to communicate, keep their voices strong through song. 

Musical activities are complex tasks that offer great physiological, cognitive, emotional and social benefits. They include:

• Singing a song from memory

• Singing three songs from memory

• Singing a full concert of songs from memory

• Accompanying oneself on guitar or piano 

• Improvising at the piano and finding independence between the right and left hand.

• Holding down a steady groove on a drum

• Singing a melody while holding down a beat on a drum

• Singing in harmony with others

• Drumming with others

• Learning a new instrument such as clarinet, violin or electric guitar

• Playing in a band or orchestra

• Holding down your part in a choir or quartet

Each one of these tasks is complex. It’s like a workout for your body and mind. 

Improvisation is a wonderful way to learn music because you are just in it. It is embodied learning. We can read a lot about music, and we can listen to a lot of music, but that won’t necessarily teach you how to play or sing. You have to be in it, doing it. 

I believe we are all full of music. When I facilitate accessible improvisation activities, I notice how quickly people integrate and flourish. Activities are structured so people get to explore and try things without being singled out. Musical support systems are put in place to carry each person. I love watching people drop into their natural musical beauty. 

Facilitated Improvisation is accessible because it allows people to experience being in sound with others whether they are experienced players or not. Very often these activities become the springboard for further musical development, and social connection with others who love music. 

I have even managed to make this happen online. More on this topic soon! 

Improvisation lets me meet a person where they are - I am not imposing something on them. We build from what is already there - and we are often pleasantly surprised by what is there.

My improvisation courses and workshops are intergenerational with participants ranging in age to as many as 7 decades. I am hoping to kick that up to 9 or 10! I LOVE witnessing the interactions. We learn from each other. We are inspired by each other. 

I am now an older adult, and I appreciate these students even more. Thank you for inspiring me to keep an open heart and mind. 

It’s never too late...