Musical Memories Project

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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05/07/2026

Mother’s Day & Memorial Day Recital | BY2S at Memphis Jewish Home

We had a wonderful afternoon sharing music, patriotic songs, and meaningful connections with the residents of Memphis Jewish Home through this special recital in collaboration with BY2S (Bridge of Youth to Seniors).

The program featured student performances, Mother’s Day gifts, and patriotic favorites in honor of Memorial Day, bringing residents together through music and shared memories.

We were honored to feature guest musicians Rena Feller (clarinet) and Diane Cohen (violin), whose beautiful duet performances brought warmth and elegance to the afternoon.

Special thanks to Maeve Brophy, Dr. Ana Trujillo, and Maria DeBacco for bringing their students and for performing alongside them, creating memorable intergenerational musical moments for the residents.

We are also grateful to the BY2S team for bringing handmade Mother’s Day bookmarks made with real pressed flowers, helping spread kindness and joy to seniors in the community.

Thank you to all performers, teachers, volunteers, and residents who made this event so special.

At Musical Memories Project and BY2S, we believe music and acts of kindness can create meaningful connections across generations.

05/05/2026

05/05/2026

High Schooler’s Powerful Performance for Memphis Seniors 🔥 | Acelynn Saisuphaluck
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Age is just a number, but heart is everything. Watch as high school pianist Acelynn Saisuphaluck brings the fire and drama of Handel/Halvorsen’s Passacaglia to the residents of the Memphis Jewish Home.

​From technical mastery to musical storytelling, Acelynn uses her gift to bring world-class music directly to the senior community.

​Accolades:
​🏆 1st Place – Camel Arts International (2023)
​✨ Superior Ratings – GMMTA, TMTA, & Memphis International Piano Festival
​🎹 Division III – Recognized for consistent excellence in performance.

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05/04/2026

What a beautiful day of music and community at the Memphis Jewish Home!

​On May 2, we held a special recital featuring talented students from the studios of Maeve Brophy, Ana Trujillo, Linda Wilson, and Maria DeBacco. The residents were treated to a variety of wonderful performances that filled the room with warmth.

​We were also honored to end the recital with a stunning duet of violin and clarinet performed by Diane Cohen and Rena Feller.

​Adding to the celebration, the BY2S program participated by hand-delivering Mother’s Day gifts to the residents. Seeing the connection between the young performers and the seniors is exactly why we do what we do.

​A huge thank you to our performers, local music teachers, and the BY2S team for such a memorable experience.

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04/23/2026

Pure Musical Joy! 3 Four-Hand Piano Favorites | Maria DeBacco & Dr. Paula Amrod

​Experience the high-energy connection of two lifelong friends as they bring "unforgettable energy" to the piano! This performance features three iconic four-hand pieces that celebrate the joy of making music together.

​Unlike a formal or serious recital, this video captures the genuine fun and spontaneity that happens when world-class musicians share a bench. Watch the full performance on our YouTube channel—link in profile!
​Featured Pieces:

​Masquerade – Aram Khachaturian
​Por una cabeza (Tango) – Carlos Gardel
​Hungarian Dance No. 5 – Johannes Brahms

​Meet the Performers

​Ms. Maria DeBacco (Music Director)

Maria is a distinguished pianist and educator with a Bachelor and Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Memphis. As Music Director for the Musical Memories Project, she uses her decades of expertise to bridge the gap between memory and spirit through song.
Visit Maria’s Studio: https://mariamemphispianostudio.com/

​Dr. Paula Amrod

An Emeritus Professor of Music (Clarion University, 1981–2014), Dr. Amrod holds a Doctor of Music from Indiana University Bloomington. An accomplished soloist and chamber musician, we were honored to have her world-class talent join us for this special performance.

​About Musical Memories Project LLC

​We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing professional-grade live music to seniors in memory care and assisted living communities. We believe everyone deserves the gift of live music and the joy it brings.

​For more videos and to see the full performance videos, please visit our Youtube channel (link in our profile!).

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04/13/2026

Reconnecting with the Person Behind the Dementia through Music
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​At the Musical Memories Project, we believe that even when words are lost to dementia, the spirit still remembers the song. This video at The Gardens of Germantown demonstrates our mission in action, led by our Music Director, Maria DeBacco. Using beloved hymns like "Amazing Grace," "In the Garden," "The Old Rugged Cross," "Jesus Loves Me," and "How Great Thou Art," we aim to bypass cognitive barriers and reach the person within.

​The voices you hear are the residents and staff singing together, proving that music creates a shared space for joy and recognition where memory loss once stood in the way. Restoring these moments of connection is the heart of our work and exactly what we pledge to do for our community.

​Featured Performer:

Maria DeBacco, Music Director of Musical Memories Project

Visit Maria's studio: https://mariamemphispianostudio.com/

04/10/2026

Classical & Hymns for Seniors | Musical Memories x BY2S at The Gardens of Germantown

This special recital at The Gardens of Germantown, a senior living community for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, featured a beautiful program of classical music and hymns. We began with a heartfelt Hymn Sing-Along, led by Maria DeBacco, Music Director of the Musical Memories Project, inviting residents to connect through familiar and meaningful songs.

In collaboration with BY2S (Bridge of Youth to Seniors), we also shared handmade crocheted tulips and decoupage cards, bringing additional joy and personal connection to the residentsWe would like to thank Anissa Wong and Brayden Lester for helping us distribute the gifts to the residents..

We would like to sincerely thank our student performers—Atlas Yuksek, Kerem Yuksek, Noah Lim, Emmi Jager, and Acelynn Saisuphaluck—for sharing their music with the community.

We are especially honored to feature Maria DeBacco and Dr. Paula Amrod, who performed three beautiful four-hand piano pieces, showcasing both their artistry and their remarkable lifelong friendship

Thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful event possible.