BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Inspired during the pandemic to bring music to seniors, Aayan Kabaria, a Bridgewater School of Music student and Watchung Hills Regional High School junior, launched Songs4Seniors.
Kabaria said he got the idea in 2021 when he and his mom Vasavi Parikh volunteered their time by delivering meals to hospitals and writing letters to those in assisted living facilities during the pandemic.
“I thought of my grandparents and the thought that what if they couldn’t have visitors?” said Kabaria to Patch.
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He began working with Jon Torgrimsen, Owner and Director at The Bridgewater School of Music, who agreed to help mentor Kabaria. Torgrimsen also worked with Kabaria to get more music students involved to perform with Kabaria at assisted living facilities.
In September 2022, when restrictions were lifted, Kabaria and his group began performing for seniors.
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“I understand how lonely it can get there with not much to do,” said Kabaria of the senior facilities. “[Songs4Seniors] gives them something to look forward to and also helps the musicians all around. It helps them practice and be less shy as a musician.”
Kabaria has grown to perform at three locations – Brandywine Senior Living in Bridgewater, CareOne at Somerset Valley, and The Chelsea at Warren.
“Aayan has been a student of mine for many years. I’ve watched him grow as a musician, artist, and young man. He’s a truly impressive kid. It’s been my pleasure to help him organize the students here at the school. Bringing joy to the folks at the facilities is an enriching experience for everyone involved. So many have been blessed by Songs4Seniors. It was a fantastic idea,” said Torgrimsen.
“I’m proud and humbled that Aayan founded Songs4Seniors and that he and his peers are able to use music to bring joy to the seniors in our local assisted living facilities,” said Parikh.
Kabaria is hoping now to expand his organization by getting more people who will help Songs4Seniors brighten the day of a senior.
Musicians perform 1 to 2 songs at different nursing home facilities. Some sing and some play an instrument. Kabaria both sings and plays guitars.
He is looking for students from different music schools in the area to perform to provide the senior residents with more music in their lives.
“It brings some sense of community and connects the youth with older people, which I think is really nice to see,” said Kabaria.
For more information on Songs4Seniors visit instagram.com/songs4_seniors or aayankabaria.wixsite.com/songs4seniors or email [email protected].
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