In late March, youth-led organization Light Up Network partnered with the Houston Hospice for an art performance event. Outside in the hospice gardens, music floated throughout the air as students performed various artistic compositions for the patients.
My brother Matthew Jeong and I founded Light Up Network, a community project that aims to foster intergenerational relations and prevent elderly isolation. The organization partners with nursing homes, hospitals, and non-profit organizations nationwide in an effort to spread the joy that art brings.
For this particular event, Light Up Network coordinated an art performance event with the Texas Medical Center’s Houston Hospice. Almost like a small concert, high school students took the stage in front of an audience comprised of other students and their families, as well as the patients and their families. While the patients had to remain indoors due to being in the Inpatient Unit, it was a beautiful moment to safely share the students’ love for art.
Participating students from the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and the Kinkaid School performed various pieces ranging from instrumental music, singing, to even a short skit from a play. Among instruments performed were cello, violin, piano, guitar, trombone, and more; songs sang included “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Somebody To Love (Queen).” The short skit was an original play written and performed by the students themselves.
The event allowed the students to share their artistic skills in a way that truly sparked delight. It was a truly wonderful experience to be able to share the students’ passion and talent with others.
“Bringing music and art to those who need it is something I would always like to be a part of,” said Catherine Lawson of Kinder HSPVA, “Not only does it bring a smile to the audience, but it also brings us, the artists, joy.”
“All of us love creating art and music, and it was great to be able to share that with the hospice and its patients,” added Hannah Horwath of Kinder HSPVA.
The sun was shining, music was floating through the air, and a heartwarming feeling resonated throughout the hospice gardens. To student performers, that’s exactly what it meant to light up within the community.
“[The performance] was amazing,” said Ms. Michele Cowart, who handles Communications for Houston Hospice. “Thank you, [Light Up Network], for sharing this experience with Houston Hospice’s patients and families.”
I was able to participate in the event alongside the talented students from Kinder HSPVA and the Kinkaid School: Michelle Chen, Payton Daly, Andrew Jung, Alexandra King, Lili Lassoued, Elaine Chen, Anna Parker, Catherine Lawson, Karsten Wilkinson, Meg Routh, Matthew Jeong, James Liu, Hannah Horwath, Emery Goldstein, Valentino Dzul, and Alba WarrenJiminez.
To learn more about Light Up Network, please visit lightupnetwork.com and read this Buzz Kidz story.
