As a professional speaker that has played piano since the earth was cooling, I’m constantly amazed at the power of music and how it transforms people and events.
I was speaking to a group of healthcare professionals at their annual conference and told the story of when I was hired to perform a 60 minute musical program for Alzheimers patientsand their care givers. The audience age ranged from 40 to 75 years old.
Hamburg Steinway D-274 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Some patients were in the advanced stages of the disease and couldn’t remember their own name. Caregivers were stressed out and close to compassionate fatigue. The energy in the room was heavy and somewhat sad. Within seconds of playing ‘New York, New York‘ it happened…
Blank stares became bright eyes. Droopy heads lifted up. Toes tapped and hands clapped in tempo. Patients with no memory sang along perfectly to the music. Worn out care givers became energized and animated. Suddenly the atmosphere was alive and vibrant.
And the best part? No pills needed.
As the kickoff speaker for that healthcare conference, and since I’m kinda funny and play piano during my presentations on workplace performance, the precedent was set for the whole event. Attendees left feeling happy.
Can you put a price on happy? Do you have a prescription for happy? If you’re a healthcare professional how do you define happy?
I’d be happy to hear your thoughts.
Doo-bee-doo-bee-doo…
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Tags: conference speaker funny, entertainment, Frank Sinatra, health, healthcare conference speaker, Keyboard, kickoff speaker conference, Music, NancySinatra, New York, New York City, Piano, power of music, Professional Healthcare speaker, professional speaker, professional speaker music, Professional speaker workplace performance, United States
Theresa Talks 
October 20, 2012 at 6:17 pm |
Everytime I read one of Theresa’s posts, I feel inspired. Her postive outlook makes the world a better place simply due to her wonderful and special ability to make a personal connection through music by reaching out to the positive attitudes and joys of life hidden inside each us.
October 23, 2012 at 6:56 pm |
And it’s people like you that take time to write uplifting posts like this that motivate me to keep up the work!
Thank you for your kind comments Lee.