Residents’ Grandson Hosts Concert at Lenbrook to Raise Money for Brain Health Music Program
Elias Kremer, the grandson of Lenbrook Residents Ray Ann Kremer and George Shapiro, has played piano since he was five years old. Now a high school junior, Elias can be found casually playing on Lenbrook’s numerous pianos when he visits his grandparents. His go-to’s – Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff.
After hearing his grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Elias discovered the positive impact music has on the brain. “I have always been struck by how people responded to my music. I wanted to see how my music could bring joy and to make a positive impact on the people I love and those who have brain health diseases,” he said.
Lenbrook Resident Blaine Kelley overheard Elias playing piano and offered to pay him to play for his wife who loves music. Elias suggested using the opportunity to put his talents to use and raise money for a good cause. Blaine, a visionary developer and entrepreneur, loved the idea and encouraged Elias to create a nonprofit to help accomplish his goal. “You are a young man of exceptional talent, and a musical program here at Lenbrook would be a winner,” Blaine said. He then connected Elias with Lenbrook Friends of the Arts Chair Mary Jo Sibbald to set up a concert.
Inspired by Blaine’s encouragement, Elias put pen to paper and created NOTEWORTHE Music, a nonprofit that organizes concerts of talented student musicians for senior living communities and brain health programs. Along with bringing the positive influence of music into seniors’ lives, the program’s goal is to start and sustain the first music enrichment program at Emory’s Charlie and Harriet Shaffer Cognitive Empowerment Program.
In November, Elias kicked off the first NOTEWORTHE Music concert, playing for residents at Lenbrook. One of his memorable moments from the concert was interacting with the community afterward.
“Many Lenbrook Residents said the concert reminded them of when they played music when they were younger,” Elias said. “I am very thankful people took an interest in me and my piano playing. I am also thankful for the positive response at the Lenbrook concert. Our goal is to raise $25,000 to start and sustain a music enrichment program at Emory, and my artist stipend from the Lenbrook concert will cover the moving expense for a piano that Cooper Piano is donating to the program.”
Grandmother Ray Ann noted a big crowd attended the concert during which Elias played piano and fellow NOTEWORTHE musician Dylan Reiser played classical guitar. “We became instant rock star grandparents. Elias is trying to make a difference in the brain health community, and I will cherish the memory of the joy his performance brought all of us,” she said.
To learn more about NOTEWORTHE Music, request performances, and donate, visit https://noteworthemusic.org