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On a warm, cloudy day, a group of music and love musicians gathered at the Raphael House to give another performance for the seniors. I began the program with Concerto in G minor, playing with careful attention to detail. The piece was warmly received by the audience. Next came a piano duet by Caitlyn and Candice. Their fingers moved gracefully across the keyboard, producing beautiful and expressive music. We were also joined by two new friends this time, Amy and Milan. Milan’s vocal performance was unique and captivating, earning a big round of applause from everyone. Later, Allie and I performed a violin duet. We played Sinfonia No. 2 by Vivaldi as well as the popular song “Wellerman.” “Wellerman” is lively and playful, and since many people already knew it, it was especially well received. Everyone gave a wonderful performance. We were delighted to share music and warmth with the seniors, and we hope to see you again at our next performance! (Reported by Jacqueline Chung)
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It was a beautiful Sunday today. After many long, freezing days, the weather finally rose above zero, and most of the snow had melted. Our Music and Love concert was held again at Byron House, and the audience was especially warm and welcoming. When we arrived, the room felt cozy and bright. The seniors were already seated, waiting for us with big smiles on their faces. Our concert began with a lovely violin and piano duet, Prelude and Allegro by Fritz Kreisler. The music was sometimes slow and serious, and sometimes fast and energetic. It felt like a conversation between the violin and the piano, as if they were talking to each other through music. After that, the program continued with several beautiful piano and violin pieces. Then everyone was attracted by Sakura’s oboe performance. We do not often hear the oboe at our concerts, so not only the seniors but also the other performers enjoyed its unique and gentle sound. Next, Frankie gave a wonderful performance. She played Amazing Grace on the piano while singing at the same time. Her voice was very sweet, and her performance was full of emotion. The audience seemed deeply touched, and I could see warm smiles on their faces. Avery’s dance performance also received a lot of applause. Her posture was elegant, and I could tell how much effort and practice she had put into her dancing. Today’s concert at Byron House was not just about playing the right notes. It was about sharing love through music. I learned that when we perform for others, especially seniors, we can truly brighten their day. I felt proud to be part of Music and Love, and I hope we can return again soon. (Reported by Grace Zhou)
Today, we brought Music & Love to The Preston of Rockville with full hearts. Although it was rainy and cloudy outside, the room was filled with warmth and love. Each musician introduced their piece before performing, which helped the audience better understand and appreciate the music. Allie began the concert with a confident introduction of her violin piece. The music was beautiful, joyful, and fast-paced — just like someone running happily. Next, Grace gave a detailed introduction to her piano piece and played smoothly with a bright, cheerful tone. Candice and Caitlyn then introduced their duet, “Birch Tree Rag.” They explained that the piece is joyful with a touch of playfulness: the left-hand part keeps a steady rhythm while the right-hand part jumps quickly with lively energy. Their performance brought smiles to the audience. A highlight moment was Joanna’s introduction. She introduced herself and her piece with a bright smile and a loud, confident voice, which was very impressive. Esther and Faith performed a lovely violin duet, giving a warm introduction that helped the audience connect with their music. The audience truly enjoyed the performances. Having each musician introduce their piece beforehand gave everyone a clearer background and made the experience more meaningful. Rishita delivered a wonderful closing speech to the audience, bringing the event to a perfect ending. We had a truly wonderful time at The Preston of Rockville, sharing music and love together. (Reported by Candice Xu)
Today we had the opportunity to perform at a Chinese nursery to celebrate Chinese New Year! There was a big crowd, and the atmosphere was so lively and exciting. Everyone did an amazing job performing, and all our hard work really paid off. The audience was incredibly supportive and kind, which made the experience even more special for us. You could tell they truly enjoyed our playing, and it felt great to share our music with them on such a meaningful holiday. It was definitely a memorable performance for all of us! (Reported by Esther Tian)
We had our Chinese New Year concert today at Diamond ES, and it was such a fun and memorable night! Our Music and Love group hosted a showcase table to introduce our group to other young students at the event. We prepared creative activities like decorating lanterns, making slime, and crafting clay pictures to celebrate the 2026 New Year and the Year of the Horse. Our table attracted lots of kids, and it was wonderful to see everyone so engaged and excited. There was also a wide variety of delicious food, including pizza, cotton candy, sesame balls, fried dumplings, cold noodles, bubble tea, and more. It truly felt like a festive celebration! The performances were amazing as well. The evening began with a traditional Chinese dance. The performers wore elegant green silky dresses with long water sleeves flowing down to their shins. Their movements were smooth and graceful, as if they were dancing on water. Next was a traditional Chinese instrumental performance featuring the pipa. The performer did an excellent job—her playing was both beautiful and skillful, and the music was captivating. Allie, Faith, Vera, Victoria, and I also performed together as an ensemble, playing Sinfonia No. 2 in G Major by Antonio Vivaldi. This is one of our orchestra pieces, and since we had rehearsed it many times, we felt confident going on stage. I believe we did a great job, and we were rewarded with a big round of applause from the audience. The final performance was a K-pop dance. It was incredibly fun to watch! The dancers demonstrated high-level technical skills and sharp synchronization. They were also dressed uniformly, which made their performance even more impressive. We all had a wonderful time celebrating Chinese New Year together, and we wish everyone a prosperous and successful 2026! (Reported by Jacqueline Chung)
The Music and Love Concert today took place at the Raphael House. Gabriel and I were a little nervous because the first performance was our piano duet, Danz Havana. We had practiced this piece for a month, but we were still worried we might make a mistake since playing a duet requires close coordination with your partner. Luckily, we did not make any mistakes this time. After our duet, we enjoyed several beautiful violin pieces performed by Elaine, Riddhima, and Rishita, as well as some passionate piano pieces played by Frankie, Jeremy, Jacob, and Ayan. It started drizzling outside, but inside it felt warm and sweet, filled with lovely music. Momo’s violin performance of Violin Concerto No. 1 by Niccolò Paganini was very long, but we were all completely immersed in her fabulous playing. The music sometimes flowed fast like a river, and sometimes it became calm and deep, touching our spirits. We also heard two more duets. One was a violin duet by Esther and Faith, and the other was a piano duet by Allie and Sophia. We could truly feel the coordination between the partners. Both performances were fantastic! My favorite piece was the Bassoon Concerto performed by Chloe on the bassoon. I had never heard a bassoon performance before. It produces a warm, woody, and sometimes slightly buzzy sound that deeply attracted me. The concert was very successful today. Sadly, we didn’t see the living center’s cat, Isabella. We’ll try to find her next time! (Reported by Grace Zhou)
 My experience at the Manor House today was extremely friendly. I have had many great times playing with my brother at the manorhouse over the previous sessions. For example, meeting all the seniors and discussing life with them has been one of the many reasons for wanting to go play here. Another reason is just playing the piano itself. Playing for the elderly is extremely relaxing and easy. This is why I enjoy playing for them specifically. (Reported by Stephen Chen)
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