On March 23, 2025, volunteers of the Tacy Foundation held a lively music performance at Brightview Grosvenor in Maryland for an audience of about 35 people, a record number.
When I arrived at the location, I noticed a staff member, A.J., taking the initiative to set up rows of chairs around the venue. This was my second time meeting A.J. -- the first time was a month earlier, when she had enthusiastically chatted with me after the performance. I learned that she is a retired federal worker who grew up playing golf in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
This time around, she told me that she was so inspired by our music that she took it upon herself to gather attendees for today’s performance by going around the facility and knocking on residents’ doors.
Soon, dozens of people started filing into the room. As I gave the introductory speech, I was amazed by the size of the audience, and I gave a warm smile to A.J. People, among them many familiar faces, occupied all corners of the room, and others even listened from the hallway.
Not only did we enjoy record high attendance, but we also had six volunteers who signed up: Julian Chen (co-chief intern), Emery Que, Nora Ma, Han, and Anika and Shreyas Ahuja. They delighted the seniors with a diverse piano program that featured two Beethoven sonatas, a Brahms Hungarian dance, a Mozart sonata, and more.
This was Julian’s first time at Brightview as co-chief intern. He is a talented young pianist with a diverse, advanced repertoire. He played Beethoven’s Sonata No. 2, Op. 2 and Ravel’s Jeux Deau. I look forward to hearing more from him.
I played the first two movements of Stravinsky’s Petrushka Suite. Today was one of the rare occasions in which each person had to play only once in order to fill up an hour of music.
Between the pieces, I entertained the seniors with brief anecdotes about each piece. The audience members enthusiastically responded to my questions and laughed at my jokes. During the performance, A.J. was busy providing refreshments for listeners, making sure that everyone felt comfortable.
When Julian closed the performance, the audience erupted in applause. Afterwards, several listeners introduced themselves to me and asked about the performers’ ages. They were amazed by the amount of talent they had just witnessed. At that moment, I was filled with gratitude for my ability to play, for our volunteers, for the seniors, and for A.J., who did her best to assist.
Most of all, I am thankful for the Tacy Foundation for making what happened today possible. I will continue to fulfill its mission of inspiring hope through music.
