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After severe bullying from her high school classmates, violist Isabella Mier was suicidal and losing hope when she discovered the Eisner Intergenerational Orchestra.

“Why don’t I just go play for one of my last times?” she asked herself. “And I went, and I just felt so at home, like I had a new family,” she explained during a recent CoGenerate webinar. “It really gave me a reason to keep going.” She’s now the principal violist there.

Isabella’s story struck a familiar chord with me. Ten years ago, I co-founded Mind&Melody, a nonprofit that bridges generations, using music to transform the lives of people experiencing neurological impairments. 

Over the years, I learned that music has a magical ability to transcend boundaries and create connections. It builds bridges across families, cultures, ages, languages, and generations, fostering deep emotional bonds. The experience of playing, singing or simply listening to music together creates a sense of unity and mutual understanding, creating lasting relationships based on shared emotional experiences.

Here are three stories I’ll never forget from Mind&Melody.

Music and Family / Catherine & Yvonne

A few years ago, Catherine, a 20-year-old musician, met Yvonne, in her 60s and living with dementia, for weekly one-on-one Mind&Melody sessions. Despite her dementia diagnosis, Yvonne was vibrant and full of life, especially when dancing to her favorite songs — Motown, ‘70s disco, “Mi Gente” by J Balvin.

In between dances, Yvonne shared stories from her life in Jamaica, her favorite Jamaican musical artist (Ernie Smith), her family, and the things that brought her joy. Catherine helped Yvonne associate melodies with colors to help her remember the names of her children and grandchildren. Other musical activities brought back pieces of Yvonne that seemed lost forever. The two became fast friends.

One late night, I received a call from Tina, Yvonne’s daughter. A doctor who runs a nonprofit medical center, Tina was distraught because her mother had wandered miles from home. She was eventually found by police, but Tina had no confidence in her mother’s caregiver and had to let her go.  

Because of the strong relationship Catherine and Yvonne had built through our program, Tina reached out to me. She didn’t know what to do next, so I offered to take care of her mother the next day.

I was 27 and out of my comfort zone, but this felt necessary. I asked my mom to come along for extra support. 

We took Yvonne to the grocery store, and her interactions with others were eye-opening. She approached everyone, from customers to the woman at the deli, and asked, “Where are you from?” To some, she asked, “How old are you?” and then replied with, “Damn, you look good.”

Her questions broke social norms, making some people uncomfortable. While some embraced her curiosity, others were completely turned off. Later, at a restaurant, Yvonne asked the waiter where he was from. “Brazil,” he said. “Damn, you look good,” she replied. Clearly, Yvonne’s key phrase when trying to build connections!

Soon after, my mom became Yvonne’s new caregiver. But when my uncle passed away from COVID-19 in 2021, we had to travel to Venezuela. While there, we discovered my grandma had dementia. My mom needed to stay to help.

Tina and Yvonne had become like family to us, and my mom didn’t want to leave them without support. She recommended my cousin, an architect and chef who had recently moved to the US and was struggling to find a good job because of the language barrier. 

My cousin, who lives with her siblings and parents, provided Yvonne with a lively and engaging environment. Yvonne enjoyed dancing, cooking, doing her hair, watching movies, and even attending family parties. This vibrant household gave Yvonne constant stimulation and engagement. At the end of each day, my cousin took Yvonne back to Tina’s house.

This situation has been life-changing for everyone involved. Tina rests easy knowing her mother is in a nurturing environment. Yvonne remains fully integrated into the community while aging in place, and my cousin has a stable, fulfilling job she loves. And my mother and I expanded our family, a journey of mutual support and connection started by the power of music.

Music and Healing / Mala & Amelia 

Mala, born in Poland in 1925, and Amelia, born in Argentina in 1978, were separated by 58 years and 8,000 miles, but fate orchestrated their connection through music.

During the pandemic, Amelia, a Mind&Melody session leader in Tallahassee, conducted interactive music sessions on Zoom. There she met Mala, an Auschwitz survivor, living with dementia in Miami Beach.

Amelia, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor who rarely spoke of his experiences, found an unexpected guide in Mala, who introduced her to Jewish songs and prayers, unlocking a heritage Amelia had never fully embraced.

Mala’s joy in music and compassion for Amelia bridged their age gap effortlessly. Through their shared songs in Yiddish and Hebrew, they forged a deep, emotional connection.

For Amelia, music became not just a conduit for cultural discovery, but a catalyst for personal growth. It awakened a pride in her heritage and a newfound appreciation for her identity. Meanwhile, Mala found renewed purpose in their sessions, often telling Amelia how their music together gave her life again.

Mala and Amelia’s relationship showed me the power of music to unite, heal and transform. It taught me that genuine connections can emerge from the most unexpected places and span lifetimes. 

Music and Hope: Masa & Eric

Masa, hailing from Tokyo, Japan, and Mind&Melody team member Eric, a Cuban-American guitar player, bonded over their mutual love for music. They met in 2019 at a free Japanese language class. Their paths crossed again in 2023 during a Mind&Melody music session in Miami Beach. 

A  ukulele and harmonica player, Masa eagerly joins Eric for sessions as often as his health permits. Despite battling cancer and traveling to New York for treatments every other weekend, Masa reaches out to Eric regularly, his commitment reflecting his deep appreciation for the joy and purpose music brings to his life.

Eric cherishes their friendship. “Seeing how our sessions light Masa up and transform him reminds me how important consistent connection is to our participants’ lives,” Eric says. He finds inspiration in Masa’s resilience and dedication, often crafting new songs and arrangements to complement Masa’s harmonica melodies.

Eric also finds the sessions meditative, as music bridges the temporal gap between fast-paced modern life and the slower, reflective experiences of older generations. It offers a rare opportunity to step into a different rhythm of life, where moments are savored, connections deepened. 

“In a world shaped by social media and constant activity, music becomes a sanctuary of peace and understanding for me,” Eric says. 

Masa and Eric’s joint performances are heartfelt exchanges that fill the room with joy. Feeding off their shared passion, the two continue to grow musically and personally, defying physical, cultural and generational barriers, fostering empathy and creating a sense of belonging.

Through their story, I see the power of music to build bridges—bridges that connect hearts, transcend spoken language and inspire hope.