Dallas, TX – July 23, 2025 – For the second year, a cadre of 13 singers from the Arts District Chorale (ADC) performed July 23 at NorthPark Presbyterian Church (NPPC) for its Casa de Vida program. The Casa program is an onsite day program that provides a weekly respite for family caregivers of persons with early to mid-stage dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Trained volunteers serve as one-on-one caring companions to participants.

Participants enjoy an orchestrated program that includes weekly themes and activities such as yoga or exercise, lunch, Bingo, crafted conversation, and music.

“The Music Memories portion of our standard weekly program is often the most popular one with participants,” says Andrea Afkghami, a co-director of the NPPC Casa program. “Our attendees love to sing!  You’ll see smiling faces and tapping toes as everyone enjoys a favorite song.”  A church volunteer starts each weekly program with a song, and a professional musical therapist leads a weekly session.
  
“ADC singers love the opportunity to interact with such programs,” says ADC bass Michael Manes, who directed and accompanied the chorale singers for the July performance.  “Who doesn’t enjoy listening or singing along to Over the Rainbow, Moon River, or Blue Moon?”

“Obviously, we’re in the chorale because we can’t live without singing,” says Anne Thomas, an alto with ADC and NPPC’s Sanctuary Choir.  “Singing for CASA gives us another way to share our choral gifts and spread some joy. Plus, we are supporting the known positive effects of music for mental health."