Student performers from Joining Old and Young (JOY) and their audiences seem to have derived an equal amount of delight during JOY’s recent performance series. The students, all of whom attend the Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest, sang for senior citizens at Sunrise in Paramus, Atrium Senior Living of Park Ridge, Promenade at Chestnut Ridge (New York), and The Bristal Assisted Living at Woodcliff Lake.
At each venue, JOY’s talented, community-minded vocalists performed one-hour concerts featuring songs from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s. The vocalists share and receive joy everywhere they go.
JOY Presidents Yasmine Carter-McTavish of Lodi and Caroline Tolin of River Edge presented the latest concerts with Natalie Andreoli of Wyckoff; Meredith Joseph of Suffern, New York; Leah Sanchez and Julie Zierer of Upper Saddle River; Nina Valente of New Milford; Gabriella Borges and Josephine Noble of Demarest; Kaylin Valqui of Paterson; Victoria Sanabria of West New York; Arielle Maravilla of Leonia; Uijin Kang of Closter; and Kayla Pringle of Suffern, New York. JOY performers also include Sophia Luongo of Upper Saddle River, Juliana Dominguez of North Bergen, Abrianna Gutierrez of Hamburg, Sara Folk of Old Tappan, Kaitlyn Guintu of Englewood, and Judianne Meredith of River Vale.
“When we got to the last location, there was the sweetest couple! The woman kept calling us beautiful, and the man kept complimenting her by using references to the songs we sang. Every time we do this I am reminded of the power of music!” Pringle shared.
In fact, it was the power of music that led an AHA student to launch JOY the early 2000s. This young woman noticed that her grandmother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, lit up when she played old music. That student decided to bring the same joy to others. JOY members continue this community outreach with the ongoing support of pianist Suzanne Alenick.
JOY’s outreach efforts also include raising funds for Make-a-Wish, an organization that fulfills the wishes of seriously ill children.
