MEDIA ADVISORY: LA Opera Sings Christmas Carols to Alzheimer’s patients
Contact: Zen Vuong at (213) 300-1381 or zvuong@usc.edu
Holiday and patriotic songs may evoke memories in people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, USC researchers say
WHO: Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and LA Opera
“Music is the universal language that enables us to express how we feel,” said Dr. Berislav Zlokovic, director of USC’s Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute and Mary Hayley and Selim Zilkha Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease Research. “There have been some studies about the effect of music on Alzheimer’s, but I don’t think there is a definitive study.”
“In the course of even 45 minutes of music, you see a calm going over someone who is very disconnected or who may be very agitated,” said Stacy Brightman, a spokeswoman for LA Opera. “Someone who was only looking down will start to look up with a focus. We’ve even seen foot tapping and tears.”
WHAT: LA Opera vocalists will sing Christmas carols and other holiday songs at 13 hospitals, long-term care or assisted living facilities in the Los Angeles area. In addition to singing to people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, LA Opera will also share holiday joy with veterans and sick children.
The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and LA Opera began singing holiday songs to these select individuals in 2012. The program is called Music to Remember.
WHERE AND WHEN:
Please RSVP for the event you would like to attend.
Friday, Dec. 4
10:15 — 11:15 a.m. Memory Mornings at Alzheimer’s Association
4221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Contact: Ayesha Dixon at (323) 930-6271 or adixon@alz.org
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Noon — 1:00 p.m. City of Hope recital: “Hope for the Holidays”
1:30 — 2:30 p.m. City of Hope caroling
1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010
Contact: Denise Heady at (626) 409-9367 or dheady@coh.org
Wednesday, Dec. 9
10:30 — 11:45 a.m. Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
7601 Imperial Highway, Downey, CA 90242
Contact: Sarah Kirwan at (562) 401-7622 or skirwan@dhs.lacounty.gov
Thursday, Dec. 10
2 — 3 p.m. Keck School of Medicine of USC
1501 San Pablo St., Los Angeles, CA 90089 in the plaza between BCC and ZNI
Contact: David Warren at (323) 442-2144 or davew@usc.edu
The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute is one of the Centers of Excellence at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Established in 2003 with a gift from Selim Zilkha, the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute is a world leader for basic neuroscience research, with a multi-disciplinary team of outstanding faculty whose collaboration concentrates on the causes, effects of and therapies for neurodegenerative disease and psychiatric disorders.
ZNI researchers investigate and identify the underlying circuitry or mechanisms of the brain that are influenced or affected by neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, schizophrenia, autism, Down Syndrome, and hearing and visual disorders.
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Photo caption: baritone LeRoy Villanueva, tenor Ashley Faatoalia, mezzo-soprano Melissa Treinkman, and soprano Lisa Eden at City of Hope (photo by Jennifer Babcock)
