Music is an incredible tool to spark engagement and recollection for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. While we incorporate music to stimulate brain function in a variety of different ways at The Kenwood by Senior Star, one of the most profound is routine performances from the Dorsey brothers.
Every Friday, Daniel (age 12, pianist and cellist), Nathaniel (age 11, violinist) and Anthony (age 9, violinist) serenade our Assisted Living, Memory Support and Skilled Nursing residents during dining service. Residents often transform with engagement, meeting their performances with tears, applause and smiles.
Meet the brothers:
Daniel
Daniel is a seventh grader at St. Gertrude Catholic school in Madeira. His favorite subjects are English and Latin, and he enjoys playing soccer, basketball, piano and cello. Two years after he started taking piano lessons at the age of 6, he began accompanying his brothers on violin and took his first paid job at 9 years old as a piano accompanist for the Suzuki Strings music school in Tampa, Florida.
A regular piano performer in retirement communities, nursing homes, church events and Macy fundraisers, Daniel also has participated in school talent shows and graduation ceremonies as a solo pianist or part of an ensemble with his brothers. Daniel took third place in the Junior Piano Division of the Florida Orchestra Musicians Association – Justine LeBaron Young Artist Competition. He has also placed in several other piano competitions in the past including first place in the Preparatory division of the Mid-State Music Teacher’s Association Competition in Tampa in 2014.
Daniel also enjoys playing cello, which he began studying at the age of nine after he was inspired by his brothers on violin. A member of the Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (TMYO) for two years, he served as principal cellist for both years. Last semester, Daniel performed together with a cello choir that included University of Cincinnati President Ono for a UC Bearcat football game playing the national anthem. This group also played for a pre-concert performance for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra featuring renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein. Daniel is a member of the Cincinnati Junior Strings and is currently under the direction of CCM Preparatory faculty for both cello and piano studies.
Nathaniel
Nathaniel is in sixth grade and is homeschooled. His favorite subjects are Math and Science, and he hopes to be an engineer or surgeon one day. Nathaniel loves building Lego models, fishing and playing soccer.
He began studying violin at the age of five and has performed in retirement communities, nursing homes, church events and Macy fundraisers. Nathaniel also has participated in school talent shows and graduation ceremonies as a solo violinist or part of an ensemble with his brothers. A member of the TMYO for three years, he was often the youngest musician in his section. Nathaniel has received several scholarships in the past for his violin playing including from TMYO and University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (UC CCM) Preparatory Program. He is currently under the direction of CCM Prep faculty for his violin studies.
Besides his love for classical music, Nathaniel likes to play his 3DS and visit museums during his spare time.
Anthony
Anthony is in fourth grade and homeschooled. He hopes to be a doctor someday, while his favorite subjects are science and history. Anthony loves to assist as an alter server at St. Gertrude Catholic church, and is also involved in the Children’s Choir at St. Gertrude’s.
Since following in his brother Nathaniel’s footsteps at the age of five, Anthony has performed violin in retirement communities, nursing homes, church events and Macy fundraisers. He has also as participated in school talent shows and graduation ceremonies as a solo violinist and part of a trio with his brothers. As member of TMYO, Anthony served as concertmaster for one year. He is also frequently chosen to perform in special concerts (by audition placement only) at Suzuki Summer Institutes (violin camp). A recipient of a University of Cincinnati CCM Preparatory music scholarship, he is currently under the direction of CCM Prep faculty for his violin studies.
Anthony enjoys listening to classical music, loves attending music concerts and theatre performances. He also likes to play soccer and swim.