Musical Memories Project

Musical Memories Project Musical Memories Project brings live music into senior communities, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

We connect youth and professional musicians with seniors through meaningful performances.
🌐www.musicalmemoriesproject.org

06/16/2026

Bass-Baritone Magic: Chip Houston Captures Senior Hearts with "Moon River"

A performance that truly captured the hearts of everyone in the room! Watch this deeply moving, soulful rendition of "Moon River" from the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's, performed live for our senior residents at The Heritage at Irene Woods.

​The warmth and depth of Chip Houston’s beautiful bass-baritone voice, paired perfectly with Ms. Maria DeBacco’s masterful piano accompaniment, brought a wonderful sense of nostalgia, comfort, and pure joy to our audience.

​Chip Houston (Voice): A Memphis-based conductor and bass-baritone with deep roots in church and community music. He directs the Mullins Community Orchestra and loves sharing timeless songs that have shaped generations.

​Ms. Maria DeBacco (Piano): A distinguished pianist, veteran educator with a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Memphis, and the dedicated Music Director for the Musical Memories Project.

​We are so grateful to these two incredible artists for bringing back beautiful memories and filling the afternoon with such unforgettable music.

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06/13/2026

Award-Winning 6-Year-Old on the Autism Spectrum Inspires Seniors with Her Music!

We are so deeply honored to have young pianist Rebecca Ramirez—daughter of the renowned Memphis-based piano teacher Lisa Ramirez—volunteer her extraordinary talents to play music for the senior residents at The Heritage at Irene Woods.

​Rebecca Ramirez is a homeschooled first-grade student and autistic self-advocate with a passion for music, learning, and discovery. An acclaimed young classical pianist, she has received recognition for her musical achievements and enjoys sharing her love of music through performances and community events. Beyond music, Rebecca enjoys horseback riding, swimming, and exploring her strong interest in automobiles. She lives with her mommy, daddy, and two cats.

​Her immense dedication to practicing several hours a day has earned her incredible recognition on the competitive stage:

​🏆 Awards and Honors:

​Winner (Grade K/1 Solo & Ensemble): Tennessee Music Teachers Association Competition (May 2026)

​Superior Rating (Elementary Concerto): Tennessee Music Teachers Association Competition (May 2026)

​Superior Rating (Grade K/1 Solo & Ensemble): Delta Music Teachers Association Audition (April 2026)

​Winner: J.D. Kelly Piano Competition, Elementary Category (Oct 2024)

​1st Place: Lane Piano Competition, Pre-K division (2023 & 2024)

​Thank you, Rebecca, for volunteering for our recital, inspiring our seniors, and showing the world what is possible when you follow your passion! 💖

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06/10/2026

A Beautiful Morning! Chip Houston & Maria DeBacco Bring Classic Cinema to Life

There is nothing quite like the magic of a classic movie tune to brighten up the day! Watch as Memphis-based bass-baritone Chip Houston delivers a brilliant performance of "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" from the beloved musical film Oklahoma!, perfectly accompanied by our Music Director, Ms. Maria DeBacco, on the piano.

​This joyful performance absolutely filled the room with smiles and happy memories for our wonderful senior audience at The Heritage at Irene Woods.

​Chip, who serves as the director of the Mullins Community Orchestra in Memphis, has a deep background in vocal music and a passion for sharing songs that have shaped generations of listeners. We are incredibly grateful to both Chip and Maria for gifting their immense talents to our community and filling the afternoon with so much light.

visit Mullins Community Orchestra website at:

https://mullinsorchestra.org/

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06/09/2026

Bringing Carnegie Hall to Senior Living: Lisa Ramirez Plays Moonlight Sonata

Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata – Performed by Lisa Ramirez

Watch full performance on the Musical Memories Project YouTube channel. Link in profile.

​Watch as the brilliant Lisa Ramirez transforms a senior living room into a world-class concert hall. Performing Beethoven’s iconic "Moonlight Sonata," she put a spell over the entire room, captivating the audience with every single note and bringing the deep emotion of a live classical recital right to their doorstep.

​🎹 Learn more about Lisa & her studio: www.lisaramirezpianostudio.com

​About the Artist:

Lisa Ramirez is an accomplished recitalist who holds a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and a prestigious Performers’ Certificate from the University of Memphis. A prizewinner in numerous national and international competitions, she has graced elite stages across the United States and Europe—including Carnegie Hall—and has performed as a soloist with symphonies in Dallas, Kansas City, Paducah, and Memphis. Beyond her extensive career as a performer, church musician, and published pedagogical writer, Ms. Ramirez is deeply devoted to nurturing and teaching gifted young pianists.





06/08/2026

"Dancing Queen" (ABBA) Live Duet: Noah Lim & Maria DeBacco at The Heritage Seniors Living

We're bringing the awesome energy of the 70s to our senior residents! Check out this super fun duet of ABBA's classic hit, "Dancing Queen," performed live at The Heritage at Irene Woods.

This special performance features our youth volunteer Noah Lim on cello with Musical Memories Project Music Director and amazing pianist Ms. Maria DeBacco. They totally brought smiles, tapping feet, and great memories to the community with this classic from Mamma Mia!

A huge thanks to the staff at The Heritage for having us, and to everyone who helped bring the magic of music to our local seniors.

Watch full performance at our Youtube channel (Link in profile).

What an incredible afternoon of music and connection at The Heritage at Irene Woods! We are so proud of our wonderful yo...
06/07/2026

What an incredible afternoon of music and connection at The Heritage at Irene Woods! We are so proud of our wonderful youth volunteers and deeply grateful to our phenomenal guest performers for sharing their immense talents with the residents.

​A special thank you to our featured artists:

​Chip Houston: A Memphis-based conductor and bass-baritone who leads a community teaching orchestra. He brought generations together with a beautiful selection of Broadway and film favorites. (Learn more: mullinsorchestra.org)

​Music Director Maria DeBacco: Our very own Musical Memories Music Director, an accomplished pianist and veteran educator with a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Memphis.
(Learn more: mariamemphispianostudio.com)

​Ms. Lisa Ramirez: An award-winning concert pianist who has performed globally, from Carnegie Hall to European stages, and is deeply dedicated to training the next generation of gifted young artists. (Learn more: lisaramirezpianostudio.com)

​Thank you to everyone who helped bring these beautiful melodies and smiles to the seniors in our community!

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06/07/2026

Songs from Old Movies & Classic Melodies: Musical Memories & BY2S Live

From timeless classical masterpieces to the unforgettable magic of old movies, our recent event at The Heritage at Irene Woods was a wonderful celebration of music and community!

​The Program:

​I. Music Recital
​From the Studio of Lisa Ramirez: Ms. Lisa Ramirez (Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata), Charlie Woodring, and Rebecca Ramirez
​From the Studio of Maria DeBacco: Kaiden Bernard

​II. Intermission
​Gifts and cards hand-delivered by BY2S

​III. Songs from Old Movies

​Acelynn Saisuphaluck: "My Way" (Goodfellas)

​Noah Lim & Maria DeBacco: "Edelweiss" (The Sound of Music) & "Dancing Queen" (Mamma Mia)

​Chip Houston & Maria DeBacco: Chip performed a beautiful 5-song set, including "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" (Oklahoma), "Look To The Rainbow" (Finian's Rainbow), "Moon River" (Breakfast at Tiffany's), "Try to Remember" (The Fantastiks), and "Ol' Man River" (Show Boat). (Note: We have included the first and last songs of his performance here—more videos of Chip's performances are coming up!)
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​A massive thank you to the staff at The Heritage, our amazing youth volunteers, and our incredible guest artists for making this day possible. Alongside the music, the BY2S program brought so much joy to the seniors by hand-delivering special gifts and cards. Thank you to everyone who lent their hands and hearts to this event! 💖

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05/19/2026

Musical ​Time Travel with Symphony Stars: performance for seniors at Memphis Jewish Home

Step into our Musical Time Machine!

​Buckle up for a journey across centuries! This special compilation takes our senior residents at Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab on a "Musical Time Travel" adventure.

​Watch as we bring history to life through these five distinct stops on our timeline, performed by two elite members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra:

​The 1700s (Baroque): J.S. Bach – Bo***ée II

​The late 1700s (Classical): W.A. Mozart – Andante con variazioni

​The early 1800s (Classical): L.V. Beethoven – Duo & Rondo

​The mid-1900s (Neoclassical): Darius Milhaud – "Jeu" (Vif)

​Present Day (Contemporary): Stanley Friedman – Meyn Ziskind

​Your Time Travel Guides:

​Rena Feller (Clarinet)
Rena Feller has been E-flat/Second Clarinetist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 1986. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree at Oberlin College and a Master of Music degree at Juilliard, where she studied with David Weber. A former principal clarinet with the Berkshire Opera, Ms. Feller is a renowned soloist and chamber musician who has premiered and recorded many contemporary works. She maintains an active private teaching studio in Memphis.

Learn more at: www.fellerfriedman.com

​Diane Cohen (Violin)
Diane Cohen serves as Assistant Principal First Violinist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. A dedicated educator, she holds a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University and a Master of Music from Arizona State University. Her distinguished career includes past positions with the Tucson and Knoxville Symphony orchestras.
​About Musical Memories

​At Musical Memories, we use the power of live performance to bridge the gap between generations. By bringing world-class musicians to senior communities, we ensure that the greatest melodies in history continue to resonate today.

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05/15/2026

Symphony Stars Bring Milhaud’s Playful Spirit to Our Senior Audience

Modern Energy: Bringing Milhaud’s "Jeu" to Life

​Prepare for a burst of musical energy! We are thrilled to share Darius Milhaud’s "Jeu" from his Suite, Op. 157b. This vibrant and spirited performance brought a wonderful sense of playfulness and life to the residents at Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab.

​This dynamic duet was performed by two incredible talents from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra:

​Rena Feller (Clarinet): A Juilliard-trained artist and a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 1986.

​Diane Cohen (Violin): Assistant Principal First Violinist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra with an extensive career in orchestral performance.

​The "vif" (lively) nature of this piece filled the room with a unique, modern energy that had our senior audience captivated. It is a beautiful example of the power of music to surprise, delight, and bring a fresh perspective to every listener. A massive thank you to Rena and Diane for this high-energy performance! 🎶✨
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05/11/2026

The Spirit of America: A Memorial Day Musical Tribute

As Memorial Day approaches, we visited the Memphis Jewish Home for a very special performance. Watch as Noah Lim (cello) and Maria DeBacco (piano) bring stirring patriotic favorites to life:

​God Bless America – A moving tribute to our shared home.

​You’re a Grand Old Flag – Bringing the upbeat spirit of the red, white, and blue.

​Yankee Doodle – Featuring the iconic energy of James Cagney’s Yankee Doodle Dandy.

​It is an honor to perform for these residents. Seeing the power of music awaken memories and spark joy is a beautiful reminder of why we share these timeless songs.

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