Can Music Cure Social Isolation?

Woman with Down Syndrome smiling and leaning on mother while holding a laptop, both sitting on couch.

Even before the pandemic caused our nation to go into shutdown and people were forced to quarantine themselves, people in our day and age have been experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. According to the Surgeon General, the rates of loneliness among young adults has increased every year from 1976 until 2019. While the highest rates of loneliness are found amongst adults over 65, young adults are almost twice as likely to admit to feeling lonely.

Technology plays a complex role in loneliness, in some cases - the use of social media for more than two hours a day can double one’s chances of feeling social isolation. Whereas other technology like FaceTime, and Zoom provide people with opportunities to stay in touch with family and friends, and it offers accessible means for social activity for those with disabilities. It can create avenues to finding community, especially for those from marginalized groups who may not otherwise have met each other.

The remote wellness enrichment we do here at Moonlit Melodies is not a mere performance, but a co-creation of music made with people who otherwise would not have the opportunity for such a unique and meaningful experience without the use of technology. This may look like…

Creating Music Together in Real Time

Devon makes music with Rachel every week on Thursdays. She has severe developmental disabilities and finds it cumbersome to travel out of the house due to her heavy wheelchair and other special needs. Rachel plays the guitar, sings, and encourages Devon to participate by singing along to her favorite tunes from the 80’s. Devon plays an active role in making the music by using her voice, and by moving her body to the music. She also enjoys holding maraccas and moving them independently, which motivates her to activate muscle groups that she normally does not use. She loves the ending of the session where Rachel guides her through a mindfulness meditation and visualization practice using soft music and relaxing imagery - transporting Devon out of her room and onto the beach or into the rainforest. She smiles and vocalizes and remains engaged for a full hour of music and wellness.

Music and Memory

Ruth and Linda are sisters and meet with Rachel once a week, the three of them Zooming in from different locations across the country. These ladies grew up together, and now one lives in an assisted living facility and the other is retired living at home with her husband. They grew up in the 1950’s singing songs together by artists like Patsi Cline and the Kingston Trio, while washing dishes or staying up late past their bed time in their room. These songs have stayed with them - withstanding the tests of time. They love meeting with Rachel because it is a time devoted to spending together where they can sing along to the old recordings with lyrics on the screen, and laugh together while remembering the lifetime they have shared together. No amount of distance can keep these two ladies apart.

Making Beats

Trevor also meets with Rachel once a week, and has been on a journey of self exploration using beat-making as a means of expressing himself. He also dreams on one day making a living off of making beats for people. Trevor has Cerebral Palsy and doesn’t leave home often given that he uses a power chair. He makes special trips out of the house to places like the mall or to a baseball game, but it is much easier to deepen his knowledge of music production by meeting on Zoom and sharing screens. This way, the two musicians can work together and see or hear what the other is talking about. Together they have explored Garageband and BandLab which are both free softwares that allow for the creation of electronic music. Rachel has assisted Trevor in creating a portfolio of his music on Soundcloud so that others can hear what he has made.

In Conclusion…

At Moonlit Melodies, music becomes more than just a pastime. It becomes a bridge to connection, self-expression, and belonging. Whether through singing with a loved one, creating beats from home, or simply being seen and heard through sound, our virtual sessions offer meaningful opportunities to combat isolation and spark joy. In a world that often feels disconnected, music reminds us that we are never truly alone.