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There is a moment that happens regularly inside a Giving Voice choir rehearsal. Someone who may have spent much of the week being reminded of what they can no longer do is given a different experience. As a familiar melody begins, that person isn't primarily a patient or a person with dementia. They are a singer, like everyone else, and they are part of something special. For more than a decade, Giving Voice Initiative has seen the power of these moments. In dementia-friendly

The quarter note September 2026 Keeping you in tune with the latest at Giving Voice! What if joy were part of the prescription? There is a lot we cannot control about dementia. But we can create places that celebrate singing where people are known by their names instead of their diagnoses. Where care partners get to be partners again. These communities are centered around joy - something that can benefit everyone's health. A growing body of research suggests that positiv

The story of Gordon (“Gordy”) Everest and his beloved wife Marty is a story that embodies the importance of this work. It’s not just a story about dementia — it’s a story about love, resilience, community, and the transformative power of singing together. An Unexpected Diagnosis Marty was first diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in 2011—but not in the way most people find out. While switching primary care providers, Marty’s medical records were mistakenly sent to

We’re so excited to share that a new Network Choir is launching in Englewood, Colorado! Founded by vocalist Anne Rigley and cellist Kris Boggs, the choir will offer people living with dementia and their care partners a space to connect, sing, and experience the joy of music together. With five participants already signed up, they are well on their way to their first rehearsal in January! Anne Rigley (left) & Kris Boggs (right) Anne’s journey to starting this choir began in h

When the Memory Lane Singers lost their sponsorship from Impact Services in the spring of 2024, it could have marked the end of the group. But five devoted members believed otherwise. "We decided this group was too important to just let it go," recalls Artistic Director Bruce Phelps. "So, we decided to go it on our own." Today, that decision has paid off. Memory Lane Singers is now a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and thriving. With more than 40 people on the ros

There’s a quiet magic that fills the Fellowship Hall at Salisbury Presbyterian Church in Midlothian, Virginia every Thursday morning —...

Back in early 2017, a small group of passionate volunteers came together in Rochester, Minnesota, with a big idea: to create a...