Camden Care Home Welcomes Highly Acclaimed Musician

Residents at a Camden care home were given quite the treat when an award-winning musician popped by to support their weekly music session.

Renowned violinist, Esther Yoo, was invited to Wellesely Road care home by Kate Williams, from Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy. Ms. Williams leads a music session every Friday afternoon at the home, where residents, families and staff enjoy singing and playing musical instruments together.

An international soloist, Ms. Yoo is also the first ever Artist-in-Residence with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London – a year-long residency starting in 2018. She first came to international attention in 2010, when she became the youngest prize winner of the 10th International Sibelius Violin Competition at the age of 16.

Ms Williams said: “It was a pleasure to meet Esther during her visit to Wellesley care home for our music therapy group. This is a popular and lively, interactive music group, and regularly attracting up to twenty residents for a jolly good ‘sing-a-long’! We play music together, which includes singing well known songs, improvising new music as a group or listening to solo performances from enthusiastic performers.”

The music therapy sessions allow individuals to find an alternative means of expression through clapping, playing, tapping their feet or humming. Engaging in live music activities can enhance an individual’s well-being, reduce levels of stress and increase self-esteem.

Activity coordinators at the home, Rupert Alexander and Ve Homer, both agreed that music is a big passion of the residents at Wellesley Road care home and adds a positive, feel-good factor.

Home manager, Michele Tricker said: “The atmosphere at these sessions can be felt throughout the home. We all look forward to welcoming Kate every Friday afternoon and seeing the interactions from our residents. Esther’s presence was a particular highlight for us, and we are tremendously grateful for her having visited.”