Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Kelly.
Hi Liz, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Music for Seniors was founded in 2007 with the purpose of connecting the Greater Nashville region’s working musicians with older adults for live and interactive programming. Music is a proven tool to help manage some of the cognitive and emotional challenges that come with aging, and our programming increases quality of life for older adults while also reducing isolation and feelings of loneliness.
In 2023 our founder retired and the Board utilized an Interim Director to help in the leadership transition. In 2024 they hired our first Executive Director and we continue to see an increase in demand for services, and opportunities to grow.
Our most recent fiscal year (FY25) saw record numbers for us:
– 1,924 programs provided
– 52,866 older adults served
– 17 Tennessee counties
Since 2022 (3 years) we have seen a 50.6% increase in the number of programs provided, and a 56% increase in the number of older adults served.
One of the things that makes our work unique is that we pay our musicians a stipend for the programs they complete. In this way, we also contribute to the working musician economy. And as a majority of our musicians are older adults themselves, there is a special connection, understanding, and joy that comes from the opportunity for them to serve their community in this way.
For us, paying our musician partners helps us to maintain consistency and quality in our programming while knowing we are also contributing to the livelihoods and continued employment of over 100 local professional and semi-professional musicians in our community.
Our annual public concert series, along with our Learning Labs and Workshops serve independent older adults and are open to the public, made free of charge thanks, in part, to the generosity of our donors. More than 70% of our work is made up of Outreach Programming which takes place in private residential settings (independent living, as well as assisted, nursing and memory care) and memory care day programs.
This outreach work is where families, caregivers, and their loved ones with age-related cognitive and/or memory impairment get to enjoy and benefit from the transformative power of music.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The past 18 years of operation have demonstrated steady growth combined with a number of major challenges, some of which are ongoing.
One ongoing challenge is finding musicians to partner with who understand and sense the sacredness in this work. It is not just a gig, it is truly a calling. Specifically with memory care, the environment is full of unknowns. Some of the audience may be agitated, others unengaged, yet the musician needs to bring the same care and attention to each program regardless of how the participants engage or don’t. They also need to be flexible and adaptable to respond to situations that may arise during the program. Currently we work with over 100 musician partners and we are continually impressed with their heart, understanding, and passion for this work.
Our next greatest challenge is fundraising, a well known nonprofit challenge and definitely not unique to us. Initially there were many grants that we were awarded, and although we still receive funding from many of them, the amounts available to award are reduced year over year, often with more organizations applying for the same, shrinking pot of award monies.
For the past two years our leadership has focused on raising public awareness of this work, and inviting people to support us. We are actively working on a plan to diversify our funding streams and increase the amount of funds raised from individuals. The road ahead is long, but we are seeing sustained growth every year!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My personal life has clearly prepared me to take on the role of Executive Director at Music for Seniors. I’ve played piano since I was a child, and my father (a small-town pastor in upstate NY) had me start playing piano in church at the age of 10. He pushed me beyond my comfort zone and encouraged me to keep going. His efforts helped me overcome stage fright and even my fear of speaking in public.
Starting around the age of 12, and on up into my mid teens Dad would take me with him to do nursing home visits on Sunday afternoons. I could see the impact music had. People who were not engaging or even able to talk would suddenly come alive with a familiar tune, and it was incredible how they would remember all the words, then even talk about their memories around that song.
Both of my parents instilled in me a respect and appreciate for older adults. They helped me understand that older adults created and contributed to the world we enjoy today, and they deserve our respect, appreciation, and attention.
In my early 20s Dad developed early onset (he was in his mid-40s) dementia. His first lasting symptom was aphasia, which quickly developed into cognitive decline as well, though he stayed strong physically. With losing his ability to form words and speak, Dad experience severe agitation which continued to be present for the remainder of his life.
Music was the one thing that could calm his agitation and bring him a bit of peace.
I ended up in the nonprofit world at the beginning of my career and spent 25 years working in fundraising and executive management.
When I learned about Music for Seniors and the open Executive Director role, I applied. It was very surreal. I’d never heard of a nonprofit intentionally coordinating music programming for older adults. I didn’t know such a thing existed! I did know that musicians often played in nursing home settings, but not that anyone had created an organization with this focus.
For me, the idea of combining my personal experience with music and dementia with my professional experience in nonprofit fundraising and management was an obvious win. And when the board offered me the role, I didn’t even have to think about my answer! (It was a resounding YES!)
Challenges arise, but every day I am driven by passion borne out of personal experience and tragedy. It is inspiring to see how loss in my own live equipped me to serve others with the experience I’ve gained.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Consistency.
Every day has its challenges but a commitment to showing up and doing the next right thing will always help you on the path to success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://musicforseniors.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicforseniors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lightinguplivestennessee
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/music-for-seniors/
