Moment

No one taught me music and art could change actually lives. I was unprepared for the fact that after six months of creating together in an experimental, intergenerational setting, healings for elders who have been isolated and institutionalized would blossom with beauty and depth changing all of our lives. But there was a problem. The project ended and I had not put into place a continuing process of social engagement. I realized then and there I had it wrong. Art done a certain way is medicine. It can heal - AND there are ethics involved. I continue to see this project as the most beautiful failure. In an artistic context it was a success for me and what I heard from many others. For me I had a great deal to learn about facilitating honest transformational processes. No healing happens without honesty. It changed the way I work forever and went onto be the impetus for 12 years building and running an intergenerational music and end of life project, Lifesongs, based in New Mexico.

The video below documents a 6 month commission from The European Union Festival of Culture, Cork, Ireland with me serving as founder/artistic director. This was a collaboration between six contemporary artists, elders from a sheltered housing project, The University of Cork students, and community members. The MOMENT Tea-Party Performances were sold-out performances in O'Connell Court.