Additional Comments

“Dan, The residents haven’t stopped talking about your last concert!! You are a gift to us all!” 

“We look forward to your performances every month”

“You make the piano almost sound like a full orchestra”

“You are an amazing talent, and I can’t believe how you play EVERY song we request!"

“You have a knack for bringing all of our favorite music back to us”

“We so need what you are offering to us.”

“You have filled an important void for us, and you do it so well.”

“Your performance today brought tears to my eyes!"

“[Resident Name] has not responded or spoken to anyone in months. During your performance today she was smiling, clapping, and you literally brought her back! Thank you for your beautiful and inspiring gift of music!”

An Email from a Thankful Resident

Dear Friends…  After Dan Alan Levine’s second concert, I felt compelled to write about my impressions. From a personal perspective, I was joyously transported back to my days in Cambridge as a student. My life was surrounded by the finest musicians performing classical music. What a treasure to have worked with Yo Yo Ma, Leonard Bernstein, William Steinberg, the Boston Symphony, and others. Since those days, I have seldom been so enthralled with rapturous music, until Dan’s concert. My heart soared to the heavens, and my eyes filled with tears as he played a piece from Bernstein. I felt Lenni’s spirit in the room, and my smile stretched from Hanover to Cambridge.

But I saw and felt far more than just my joy. Clayton told Dan how meaningful the concert was to him. He admiringly explained he has seldom heard such talent on the keyboard. We were all surrounded by smiles and joy. Even the next day, Clayton came to me at breakfast telling me how he woke up with Dan’s music in his ear.

But most spectacular for me were the number of people “truly there.”  My neighbors who I know from Clover, were present in the music. Their feet tapped to the beat and their hands waved in accompaniment. But for me, Roberta sticks in my memory. I explained afterwards to Dan that l loved what I called his zingers— where he would seque from one key or tempo to another, using key combinations unheard before on Earth. I would feel a rush of breath into my lungs as broke into a huge grin. I know Dan saw those moments by his eye contact and smile. Well, I was amazed to see Roberta react in the same way of amazement. She laughed quietly or bounced on her chair like a young child. What a beautiful moment to witness. She heard the zingers too. This magic is not often found in our home.

I am so appreciative for these concerts. I love that my friends can hear them too. I wish our staff could also experience this dynamic musician. Thank you for enabling it. I hope we can continue to hear him again and again. It would never grow old.

Thank you again for all you and others do to make Valley Terrace so special. My life has been blessed to be a small part of it. Thank you.

James M Lowry,   Ed.D.