They found their audience

Coral Wilson

Bettie Richer, 82, said she wanted to get up and dance while

listening to a piano recital performed Sunday at the Crown Cove

Senior Care Community, where she lives.

The piano recital was organized by the Music Students’ Service

League, a student-run organization that started with three Newport

Beach music students in 1995. Now more than 300 to 400 music students

from Orange Coast cities and 4,000 music teachers take part. The

concept has even been taken nationwide, advisor Trudy Anshutz said.

“They bring students who want to play together with people who

want to listen,” music teacher Mary Wong said.

The group meets monthly to arrange recitals. They also tutor

younger music students through a practice assistance program and have

been working to raise money to rebuild older pianos, which they

donate to schools, Anshutz said.

“The residents enjoy it a lot. For some, it is the best part of

their day, they’ve told us,” said Andrew Wood, 18, a leading member

of the league.

“I feel kind of sentimental when I see the little ones,” Richer

said.

It reminded resident Joan Letizia, 74, of when her three daughters

used to rehearse on the piano. One of her daughters became a music

major.

“My heart starts pounding,” Letizia said.

Friends Richer and Letizia used to dance regularly with their

husbands, who have since passed away.

“Now we are here and we dance with the guys in the wheelchairs,”

Richer said. “It works!”

Stephanie Wong, member of the league, said the power of music is

universal.

“Everyone can connect, it doesn’t matter how old or what they do

for a living,” she said.

The children also benefit through performing and sharing their

music with others.

“This gives him a fresh start to perform in front of an audience,”

said Farzad Farhat, whose 6-year-old son, Ryan, played Sunday.

Ryan’s mother, Roya Farhat, agreed that music has given her son

confidence and discipline. He is just starting to hear and appreciate

his own music, she said. Ryan enjoys performing and doesn’t even get

nervous.

“Because I am just brave,” Ryan said.

Being around children and music is uplifting for the residents,

said Anna Kozma, activities coordinator at Crown Cove.

“It is the music that we all relate to and we love it,” she said.

Music is as important to the ones who perform it, Anshutz said.

“It has become a part of my life,” Wood said. “I am not sure what

I would do if I didn’t have music.”

As the melodic sound of piano music filled the room Sunday, heads

nodded, feet tapped and even the birds in the back of the room

chirped loudly.

“That’s what we are all made of is music,” 87-year old resident

Leroy Shaw said. “The rhythm of our whole life is music.”