Zhaomin Jasmine Chin, a student in the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s course called Music and Disabilities, shares her reflections on her six weeks with the Tremble Clefs.
By 2006, Dale Okonow had become very familiar with the challenges facing people with Parkinson’s disease, their families, and their caregivers.
Parkinson’s Family Support Tremble Clefs partnered with the Bridges outreach program of the Back Bay Chorale to perform two songs in their A Boston Christmas concert at the Old South Church in Copley Square!
Our chorus is comprised of singers of all ages who have Parkinson’s and their care partners. Some have no musical training at all.
The Tremble Clefs choral group was created in 2006 by Marilyn and Dale Okonow and Nancy Mazonson as part of the Parkinson’s Family Support program.
I couldn’t sleep at all last night. I was too busy singing all the Linda Ronstadt songs in my head that I used to perform. My sleeplessness was triggered by the news that one of my biggest idols and singers, Linda Ronstadt, age 67, has Parkinson’s disease and has tragically lost her voice.
Marilyn’s energy and support have made Tremble Clefs a safe, nurturing community and a great way to start the week.
The positivity that members of the chorus bring with them is amazing. Each person has his own limitations, but they put those aside and focus on what I ask them to do with their voices.