@Arlene de Silva took her passion serving in home and community-based care and founded the Cincinnati Music & Wellness Coalition, where she serves as CEO.
Tell us about the work that your organization does. What is your mission and what population(s) do you serve?
In 2009, as a 30-year senior executive in home and community-based care, I founded Cincinnati Music & Wellness Coalition (CMWC). Prior to founding CMWC, I served as Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of the Area Agency on Aging of Southwestern Ohio. Initially, we brought together 30 members consisting of senior centers, continuing care retirement communities, universities, non-profits serving ethnic communities, physicians, and musicians to work from a common goal of helping individuals stay socially connected and improve wellbeing.
CMWC’s mission is to promote a culture of wellness in a variety of populations through evidence-based recreational music making, education, and arts engagement. Our vision is to create partnerships to achieve wellness in communities through music making and art.
Currently, CMWC consists of over 150 members from the tristate region, which includes senior living communities, area agencies on aging, senior centers, universities, non-profits, schools, physicians, musicians, and mental health facilities. In 2019, we served 13,355 of which 7,450 were older adults.
Populations we serve are older adults (all levels of care), caregivers, veterans, individuals in mental health recovery, individuals with substance abuse disorders, People with Parkinson’s, homeless, cancer survivors, immigrants and refugees, at-risk youth, children, and employee wellness groups.
Our programs are about achieving health outcomes rather than musical outcomes or musicality.
Please tell us about the goals of the program you are involved with and how you support social connection?
Clavinova Connection and HealthRHYTHMS are the two evidence-based recreational music making programs we offer that foster creativity and social engagement in a fun, collaborative environment.
HealthRHTHMS is a group-empowerment drumming program that creates a non-threatening, supportive environment for individuals to engage in creative musical expression. No prior musical experience is required and there is no right or wrong way to be creative.
For optimum wellness benefits proven through peer-reviewed published research, individuals participate one-hour per week for six weeks. A trained facilitator guides individuals as they progress through warmup exercises to a variety of group-based drumming activities.
The program is offered as a cost-effective strategy for fostering group-based nurturing, support, camaraderie and self-expression. HealthRHYTHMS is well suited as a stress-reduction strategy that builds self-esteem, respect and empathy. It has been used extensively for individuals facing the challenges of grief, anger, loss, loneliness and conflict. The program is both enjoyable and engaging – fostering opportunities to build supportive relationships and mutual respect – often leading to positive personal and group transformations.
Clavinova Connection is a music and wellness program designed to harmonize mind, body, and spirit. Group participants play specialized digital pianos, known as Clavinovas, under a trained facilitator’s guidance. The program employs specially designed educational techniques to introduce piano playing to those who consider themselves nonmusical.
Every session includes singing, physical stretching, meditation, and sound improvisation. Each step builds confidence and self-esteem while enhancing relaxation and well-being. Clavinova Connection excels at building camaraderie and reducing depression and loneliness. This one-hour program includes three eight-week levels, though participants are not required to advance to higher levels.
Share one of your top achievements or a success story.
This story is shared with permission from the family.
Jill, the daughter and caregiver of the older adult who participated in the program, titled it - I AM STILL SMILING!
I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to meet with my father, mother and myself. I AM STILL SMILING! :)
I wanted my dad to enjoy the classes, but I never imagined he would love it that much. Dad and I have spoken about the classes to others, and he is so excited to tell them that he is playing piano and bongos. With having 10 children to raise, I don’t think he had much time to do the things he might have liked, so I’m ecstatic. I could see the excitement in his eyes while he was playing as well as a bit of a grin. It switched a light on in him! He loved it! :)
I think I mentioned to you that I was about to host a Christmas sing-along, there were about 25-30 of us. Dad stood in the curve of my piano and sang for 2 1/2 - 3 hours straight and had a great time. He has never been that involved before.
It’s so sweet, I loved it!
I can’t thank you enough. I am excited to get him going at the Batavia location. If you could send me her information I will get in touch with her.
Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH and Happy New Year!”
Jill attended one of CMWC’s annual music & medicine conferences and learned about the power of music as a wellness modality. She brought her parents to our office to engage in the two programs. Jill’s Dad immediately connected with both programs. I connected Jill and her Dad to coalition member Home Care Assistance, which through a partnership with Deupree House in Hyde Park offers a weekly program (Fridays) of both Clavinova Connection and HealthRHYTHMS.
Why is promoting social connectedness important to the community/population you serve? Why and when did you start incorporating social connectedness into your programming?
Social connectedness is key to healthy aging. Maintaining and building relationships is important to our daily lives. Research shows that it helps reduce stress and anxiety. Social connectedness also strengthens community. It has benefits for all ages. The premise of founding the CMWC in 2009 was to bring people together for socialization, camaraderie, and improved well-being. We offer group-based in-person programs and activities which we believe is an important element to reduce social isolation and loneliness… It supports and transforms.
Any exciting projects coming up?
Yes! Every year we host an Annual Music & Medicine Conference. The thirteenth annual conference will be held on Friday, September 26th, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio and livestreamed. The goal of the conference is to educate healthcare professionals, senior care administrators, non-profit and business leaders, and the public about the power of music as a wellness tool. Presenters include physicians, musicians, and researchers. The conference offers CMEs and CEUs for physicians, nurses, social workers, licensed nursing home administrators, activity professionals, counselors, and music educators.
Check out our website for more information about the conference. It is a great opportunity to learn about the Power of Music!
Do you have tips for others looking to increase social connection and engagement programming or a key resource you can share?
We have offered HealthRHYTHMS at senior centers, continuing care retirement communities, area agencies on aging, and Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers in the community since 2009 and have found that the program provides opportunities for individuals to have fun with friends and make new friends. The group-based environment helps people feel connected, relaxed, and enjoy creative musical expression which results in improved wellbeing.
The following websites may be of help:
Do you have any recommended reading for others interested in this topic?
The two evidence-based recreational music programs used by CMWC were developed by Barry Bittman, MD, neurologist, researcher, and pioneer in mind-body medicine. They produce measurable biological and psychosocial outcomes in participants of all ages and abilities. The CMWC website lists some key research here: A Solution – Music & Wellness.
How can others connect with your work? Do you have a project website?