Peabody musicians-in-residence program enriches lives of seniors, musicians alike

Andrés Felipe Palacios was packing up his classical guitar after performing a concert for residents of the Springwell Senior Living community when someone began playing the piano next to him.

He turned to see a senior resident seated on the bench, struggling to play a melody. She told Palacios that a song he’d performed earlier that evening had reminded her of another one from her past, but she couldn’t quite remember the tune. So, as Springwell’s current musician in residence, he eagerly sat down to help her figure it out, accompanying and prompting her with his guitar.

Palacios, a graduate student of the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, said moments like these, when he shares his musical talents in a mutual learning experience, make the musician-in-residence program at Springwell Senior Living so invaluable.

He is one of several student musicians living in Baltimore-area retirement communities through an arrangement with Peabody’s musician-in-residence program. Their yearlong residencies aim to enrich the lives of seniors while providing graduate student musicians with housing and an immersive learning opportunity that goes well beyond traditional musical performances.

Palacios and his fellow student musicians engage with senior residents in various ways, from performing at happy hours to playing private sessions in residents’ rooms. The students often collaborate to put on concerts for the senior living communities, broadening the musical spectrum for residents. Living and performing within these unique settings, Palacios said, enables him to create a stronger and more intimate bond with the audience — one that is not typically fostered through conventional musical interactions.

“They approach me, they come up to me, and they thank me for the music. That doesn’t normally happen in other types of musical settings,” said Palacios, expressing gratitude for the connections he’s formed through his residency.

Beyond appreciation for his music, residents often share personal anecdotes and offer thoughtful, practical advice. During one performance, Palacios recalled, a resident who was a retired nurse noticed he was massaging his arm in between songs. She approached him to ask about it, then shared recommendations to help him manage and avoid muscle pain.

This symbiotic relationship between musicians and residents, in which each contributes and benefits in meaningful ways, is the essence of the residency program. Palacios hones his craft and social skills through his interactions at Springwell, while the residents benefit from the transformative power of the music he plays for them.

A growing body of research suggests that simply listening to music can help seniors by reducing anxiety, depression, and stress, and improving cognitive function, memory and even mood. Other studies show that seniors may benefit even more through active engagement with music, such as playing an instrument or singing, especially when doing so involves interacting with others.

Palacios said he’s formed close relationships with certain residents, in particular those who have shown genuine interest in his work.

“It is easy when they value what you do, and when you see they have a real interest in it … It creates many meaningful moments, and it makes me value this experience and what I’m doing here even more,” he said. “[The residents] really care. Not only about the music but about the person playing it, too.”

Palacios, who hails from Colombia, is the latest addition to the Musician-in-Residence program, a partnership that began in 2015 between Springwell Senior Living, located in Baltimore’s Mount Washington neighborhood, and the Peabody Institute. Phil Golden, executive director and principal of Springwell Senior Living, said bringing talented musicians into the community enhances the residents’ lives.

“We are dedicated to fostering an environment that enriches every resident’s life. The Musician-in-Residence program exemplifies this initiative,” Golden said. “We understand the power of music and those who play it. Welcoming musicians such as Andrés Felipe Palacios, who joins our community with a diverse musical background and unwavering commitment to sharing his passion and connecting with residents, enhances the well-being of our whole community.”

Palacios’s musical journey, ranging from Colombian Andean music to classical guitar, has been recognized by notable figures in the music world. His dedication and talent have earned praise, and his commitment to using music as a source of joy for seniors aligns perfectly with the program’s goals.

As overall life expectancy and, more specifically, the age of Marylanders, continues to rise, programs like Peabody’s Musician-in-Residence will become increasingly important. By 2030, a quarter of Maryland’s population will be 60 or older, according to an executive order issued earlier this year by Gov. Wes Moore to establish the Longevity Ready Maryland Initiative.

Directed by the Maryland Department of Aging, the initiative aims to develop a plan to coordinate and build upon existing efforts that ultimately prioritize the well-being of older people and proactively address their needs.

Access to critical arts programs like Peabody’s Musician-in-Residence could be considered as the Maryland Department of Aging engages with stakeholders over the next 18 months to develop recommendations for implementation in the next 10 years. The deadline for the final Longevity Ready Plan is set for mid-2025.

Meanwhile, as Palacios continues the second and final year of his master’s degree program at Peabody, he said the meaningful, musical moments he’s shared with Springwell residents will continue to guide him in the future. He aspires to earn a doctorate degree, to continue studying and teaching music, and to perform internationally.

Above all, Palacios is passionate about creating transcendent musical experiences, using his guitar and the universal language of melody to foster deep and profound connections with diverse audiences. The knowledge and skills he’s gained through Peabody’s intimate and immersive Musician-in-Residence program are certain to help him do just that.