Write a comment"Learning is a lifelong endeavor," or so the saying goes, and residents at St. Francis Commons in Oswego are proving this to be true!
A dedicated group has begun taking piano lessons from an equally committed college student who is providing individualized music instruction to her pupils.
Senior Juliana Rouhana, a Human Development Major at SUNY Oswego who is completing an internship at the assisted living residence this semester, found a number of residents who shared her interest in music and decided to help turn that interest into a new talent.
Twice a week she spends time with each of her "resident pupils" at the Chautauqua upright piano located in the dining room, offering one on one instruction, playing together and giving each a chance to have the experience of learning something new!
For her part, Rouhana has enjoyed the experience. "I've had a great time working with the residents! They have been eager to learn something new, and seem to really enjoy the process of making music." When not giving piano lessons Juliana can be found at a computer, teaching residents how to navigate the technology.
And how have the piano lessons been going? Just ask resident Ruth Waldron. "Playing the piano is something I never had the opportunity to do before I met Juliana. I can now play a few cords and am looking forward to learning more."
"The opportunity to host interns here at St. Francis Commons is a great experience for not only the students, but for our residents as well," said Director of Activities Peggy LiVoti who coordinates the internships. "We have been able to fit interns into programs that utilize their individual strengths or talents whether in larger group setting like an exercise class with our residents, or as in Juliana's case, interacting one-on-one engaged in a learning a activity. In either situation, both resident and student alike benefit tremendously for the experience."
