Maggie Rothwell, a Hudson Valley NY singer/songwriter spearheads a Senior Planet digital Open Mic group the place older adults nationwide discover or rediscover their interior musicians. This system takes place the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month with a particular showcase arising in August.
Are you able to describe how your love and keenness for music, particularly open mics, got here to be?
“My mom used to inform me I used to be born singing and I’ve been singing and taking part in guitar ever since,” recollects Rothwell. “I went on to earn a Bachelor of Music Schooling diploma from Crane College of Music at SUNY Potsdam in New York.”
After a profession as an elementary college music instructor, and a break to lift her youngsters, Rothwell began working as a musician in therapeutic recreation departments of nursing care amenities (“I adore it!”) and found her personal musical voice. Her performances at a neighborhood open mic led to her finally internet hosting the classes each week. She picks up the story from there:
How did your open mics at Senior Planet come to be? How has that formed the imaginative and prescient to your open mics?
“When the pandemic began, I didn’t need to lose my fantastic group of musicians, so we determined to create an internet personal open mic group. In December of 2022, I reached out to Senior Planet as a result of I felt it could be fantastic to share this on a bigger platform.”
When was the primary open mic with Senior Planet?
“We began with two pilot packages in Could of 2023. Now, we’re presently scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesday nights of each month!”
“She is a professional at fostering an inviting and supportive digital surroundings, the place performers at any degree of musical expertise can really feel comfy sharing their abilities with others,” provides Nicole Alcime, Senior Planet’s Supervisor of Digital Program Experiences.
Attendees agree. Contributors say the Open Mic does far more than deepen their music appreciation and abilities. They achieve a brand new freedom.
“At virtually 80, I can’t do all the things I used to do, however am sooooo very grateful that Senior Planet has offered a method for me to do one of many issues I like most,” says Vi (at left), an Open Mic participant.
Go to right here for particulars and information on the subsequent Open Mic on August 8.
Open Mic Moments
“We’re targeted on music — and we simply hosted a songwriting workshop to share suggestions and talk about concepts, music construction, and lyric stream,” provides Rothwell.
“We’ve had some improbable unique compositions and covers, spanning numerous genres, from Broadway present songs to classics from the Motown period. It’s heartwarming to see contributors rediscover their musical roots and really feel assured in sharing their abilities.”
“The challenges have been virtually non-existent,” Rothwell says. “The wonderful help and persistence of everybody concerned, particularly Nicole, make any glitches really feel fleeting.”
Has there been a standout second or hit music that has left an enduring impression at your open mic?
“Each efficiency holds its personal attraction and significance. The standout moments are when contributors genuinely open their hearts and souls via unique creations, exposing their innermost ideas and feelings to a supportive viewers.
And for me, Senior Planet and AARP have helped me to personal my age, be pleased with my age, and really feel productive at my age.”
When can we count on the Songwriting Showcase?
Tentatively, August 30, from 7-9 PM EDT. Come be a part of us!!
NaBeela Washington, an rising Black author, holds a Grasp’s in Inventive Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire College and Bachelor’s in Visible Promoting from The College of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been printed in Eater, The Cincinnati Assessment, and others. Be taught extra at nabeelawashington.com.
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