Local teen brings live music to seniors

For local seniors, live music was another casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. With assisted living and memory care communities closed to visitors, residents were not able to enjoy live music, among other things. Local teen, Joseph Edgar, is ready to change that.

The 17-year-old Masters Academy student has made it his mission to bring live music to assisted living and memory care communities now that visitors are welcome. He got the idea from his mother, who works at a memory care community.

“My mom told me about seniors not getting to hear live music because of COVID, and that gave me an idea,” said Joseph. “So, I started contacting local communities to see who would be interested in me playing.”

Joseph, who plays the pan flute, has now played at three local communities, including The Watermark at Vistawilla in Winter Springs.

“I love seeing their faces when I play,” said Joseph. “I see them singing along to the music and it seems to relax them. They love it when they recognize the music, and I love playing music that brings back good memories for them.”

Joseph has now played at The Watermark at Vistawilla several times during the resident Coffee Social. The residents are enjoying their live music, and Joseph is enjoying playing it for them.

About The Watermark at Vistawilla

Located in Winter Springs, Fla., The Watermark at Vistawilla is an 87-apartment assisted living and memory care community located at 1519 E State Rd 434. Differentiators of the new community include certified associates, continuous care and hands-on educational programming. Owned and managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, The Watermark at Vistawilla is committed to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive. For more information, visit vistawilla.watermarkcommunities.com.

About Watermark Retirement Communities®

Watermark creates extraordinary communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute and published on Fortune.com. A privately held company with a reputation for over 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, Watermark manages more than 60 retirement communities coast to coast. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is ranked as the nation’s 11th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.