How We Started

Hi, my name is Ezra Kittay. This all began with my grandfather. After a pretty bad stroke, I visited him one day in a recovery center. He was unable to talk, or do pretty much anything for that matter. Then, my mom had the idea that I should sing a song to him. We used to love listening to music together, so I hoped that, even if he couldn't say it, he would appreciate some music. When I started to sing, his eyes lit up and something in his brain unlocked. He started singing. He held the pitch and remembered the words and, afterwards, he was able to talk again. After experiencing what felt like a miracle, I knew I had to share this with as many people as possible.

Meet the Team

  • Ezra Kittay

    Founder

    Hi, I’m Ezra and I am 17 and currently a junior at Fieldston High School. I know from personal experience how much music can affect senior citizens, one of the most overlooked underprivileged communities. I started The Senior Music Initiative to try and bring joy to some of those who use it the most.

  • Emmett Marcus

    Hey I’m Emmet an actor, singer, and incoming student at Emerson college. I firmly believe that in a world where senior citizens, and especially those who are battling memory related illnesses are often overlooked music is one of the most powerful tools we have to help them. I am incredibly honored to be a part of a program with so much potential to help people.

  • Kaelyn Mena

    Hi! My name is Kaelyn Mena, and I started The Senior Music Initiative my freshman year! I have been doing musical theatre, choir, and vocal training my whole life and music and singing are my passions! I became apart of this program after collaborating with a few classmates in my Advanced Vocal Technique class. My favorite genre to sing is definitely jazz, and I love classic icons such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, and newer artists who are influenced by jazz like Laufey and Samara Joy. I am a student at Cardinal Spellman High School, and am continuing to sing there! I’ve had so much fun getting to know new people and sharing my passion by performing with The Senior Music Initiative!.