Perennial Muse, Inc.

Perennial Muse, Inc. is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit arts organization that provides music programs for older adults in Brooklyn and throughout the New York City area. Perennial Muse connects local professional musicians and teaching artists to older adult communities and caregivers through its artistic and creative aging music programming. At Perennial Muse, we celebrate and encourage creativity through music this with older adult communities in Brooklyn with free afternoon concerts, music workshops, and adult beginner music lessons created for adults 60 years and older. 

Community arts programming is central to Perennial Muse’s mission of serving older adults. Creative aging music classes geared specifically for older adults play a valuable role in nurturing wellbeing in later life. Adult beginner group music classes are ideal vehicles for creative engagement and socialization as well as being musical journeys that empower older adults with their talents and self-expression.  

Since 2024, our Steel Tongue Drum for Older Adults group classes have run at five older adult centers in Brooklyn. Participants meet one hour every week learning and playing music together in a small group setting that is socially engaging, uplifting, and fun. All instruction and use of materials for the class (instruments, music books, music stands) are provided free of charge by Perennial Muse and are available at the center for participant practice outside of class.

Active music engagement has been shown to have a positive impact on older adults, slowing cognitive decline, improving physical coordination, improving mood, and enhancing sense of well-being. For those experiencing dementia, music proves effective in reducing agitation, memory recall, decreasing pain levels, and positive emotional regulation. With funding support from donations Perennial Muse can help more older adults experience the benefits of music engagement and connect musicians and teaching artists by cultivating partnerships with communities that may not otherwise be served. 

Since 2021, we have presented Lunch Music Cafe, an informal afternoon concert series that brings live music performances into older adult centers and nursing & rehabilitation centers throughout Brooklyn. New York City area musicians perform at centers during lunch for older adult community members, residents, and staff in a familiar, comfortable, and accessible environment creating uplifting, relaxing, and pleasantly nostalgic moods for the listeners.

Perennial Muse performing artists present a variety of music styles and genres. Past programs have included a string band (with trombone!) playing music by Latin composers for Hispanic Heritage Month music, a jazz trio combo, string quartets playing a mix of classical, holiday favorites, pop music standards from the 50's, 60's, and 70's, and a Juneteenth celebratory presentation of music by Black composers performed by classically trained Black musicians. 

Our musicians love sharing their artistry and engaging with older adult audiences whether it be for special occasions or events, beginner group music lessons, interactive workshops, or relaxing and socializing while having lunch.  Although there are significant costs involved in bringing high quality free music classes and concerts to the community, Perennial Muse believes in fair pay for music teaching artists and performers.