Jewish Teen Brings Music to Memory Impaired

The power of music on the proverbial soul cannot be understated, and its ability to influence memory via nostalgia has been well documented by everyone from gerontologists to musicians.

To that end, Elias Kremer, a rising senior at The Galloway School, has launched NOTEWORTHE Music as a way to share his love of music with those who are dealing with cognitive impairment and may benefit from his piano concerts. Kremer has also partnered with Emory University’s Cognitive Empowerment Program to enhance NOTEWORTHE’s programming capabilities and has started a fundraising campaign to benefit the program.

The AJT recently sat down with Kremer to discuss his “noteworthy” program, its connection to Emory, and the impact his organized student concerts have had on local senior living communities.

At the Lenbrook concert, (from left) grandfather George Shapiro, grandmother (Grammy) Ray Ann Kremer, Elias Kremer, and grandmother Betsy Baker // Photo Credit: Lenbrook

AJT: What was your inspiration to start NOTEWORTHE Music?
EK: I started NOTEWORTHE Music after seeing how playing piano brought joy to those I love who are cognitively impaired. My grammy was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and my great uncle has Alzheimer’s. When I play piano for them, they connect with me, with the music, in a way that is really special. I wanted others with memory impairment to experience this kind of connection and benefit from the power of music on the mind. It is this goal that inspired our mission statement: Bring the power of music and memories to people through live performance. NOTEWORTHE Music’s talented student musicians have played concerts at senior living communities, respite care centers, and brain health programs. There is something really powerful and unique about the connection between student musicians and seniors. The seniors tell us we give them hope for the future, while the musicians get to interact with an amazing audience and truly see the impact their music can have on our community.

AJT: What led you to partner with Emory’s Cognitive Empowerment Program (CEP)?
EK: My grammy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at Emory Brain Health Center which made me aware of Emory and the work they were doing for cognitive impairment. After researching, I learned Emory’s Cognitive Empowerment Program’s purpose was to create programming that promotes joy, purpose, health, and wellness for seniors with mild cognitive impairment. I was surprised to find that the CEP did not have music therapy/enrichment for their patients. And, knowing how impactful music enrichment could be, I reached out to Dorna Shokoohi, the director of the CEP, about the possibility of bringing music enrichment through a partnership with NOTEWORTHE Music.

Elias Kremer, a senior at The Galloway School, started NOTEWORTHE Music to share his love of music with those who are dealing with cognitive impairment // Photo Credit: NOTEWORTHE Music staff

AJT: What are you trying to accomplish with the funds you are raising for CEP?
EK: The student musicians are volunteering their time and talent, but we will use the funds raised to bring licensed music therapists to the CEP and ensure the program’s sustainability for years to come. Thanks to Cooper Piano’s generous piano donation, NOTEWORTHE Music was able to install a piano in the CEP facility. We’ve set a goal of $25,000 and have raised $10,000 so far. People can make a tax-deductible donation at noteworthemusic.org that goes straight to Emory’s CEP.

AJT: Why is this personal for you?
EK: I love playing piano – it is my greatest passion, and I’ve played since I was five. Music has always been a way for me to process the world, but only recently have I realized the impact my music can have on those around me. I’ve seen how much joy music has brought to my family members who are cognitively impaired and want to share that same joy with others.

From the performance at The Holbrook, (from left) Jeremy Gassman, Elias Kremer, and Dylan Reiser // Photo Credit: NOTEWORTHE Music Staff

AJT: What is the reaction to your student concerts when you perform?
EK: The seniors absolutely love it, they are always so engaged. Sometimes the audience will sway in their seats to the rhythm of the song, and every time without exception they come up to us after our performance and shake our hands. They tell us how we remind them of themselves when they used to play instruments, or how they loved one of our pieces, and it is those moments that remind me why I started NOTEWORTHE Music. At our ribbon cutting concert, a woman stood and said, “For those of us in this program when we found out that our brains that we had trusted all of our lives had some cracks in them, it was devastating. For me personally, I did not know there would be much more joy in my life. But you guys – YOU bring the joy!”

AJT: What have you learned through this effort of starting your nonprofit?
EK: The power of music on the mind is enormous. Music keeps our minds active, young, and strong. Yet, music doesn’t just have a profound impact on the mind – it also brings us together. Regardless of our differences, we are all connected by music.

The AJT also spoke with Dorna F. Shokoohi, Director of Projects for the Charlie and Harriet Shaffer Cognitive Empowerment Program at Emory, about the university connecting with Kremer and his NOTEWORTHE program.

AJT: How did you first connect with Elias?
DS: I have known Elias since he was a young child, although we pleasantly reconnected when he reached out to Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute to express his interest in offering music enrichment to those with mild cognitive impairment. The Shaffer Cognitive Empowerment Program provides in-person and virtual lifestyle intervention classes to its members diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. While we have offered music classes to our members in the past, Elias brings a more tailored kind of music enrichment with interactions between songs and the potential for future programming and music therapy.

From the ribbon cutting concert, (from left) NOTEWORTHE musicians Livi Birch, Elias Kremer, and Jeremy Gassman // Photo Credit: Michah Parness

AJT: Please discuss the impact that music therapy can have for people dealing with cognitive impairment and memory issues.
DS: Concerns with memory is one of the first signs seen among individuals with cognitive decline, and while over time, it might become harder to remember daily matters, music memory is partially spared in these individuals. Research has shown that those with memory issues can still learn new songs and react emotionally to music. These observations are encouraging to the introduction of music therapy, as music is known to improve mood, bring back memories and emotions from the past, provide a non-verbal means for communication and expression, and conducted in group settings, promotes valuable social interactions and connection to others. Overall, the quality of life is positively impacted through the introduction of music and the interaction that comes with it.

AJT: Are there any plans in place for the music therapy program going forward?
DS: We are excited that Elias is reintroducing music enrichment to our program. Through his continuous support, we look forward to sprinkling music enrichment activities throughout the year in different ways, and music therapy can certainly be one form of engagement with our members. We are grateful to Elias and all who have contributed to this undertaking, and from the very warm reception received by everyone in attendance at the piano cutting ceremony and concert last week, we believe that the benefits of this enrichment program will be felt strongly by all our members, care partners, and program alumni.

To learn more about NOTEWORTHE, please visit noteworthemusic.org