Rise, Shine, Sing! is the flagship research-creation project of The Accessible & Inclusive Music Theatre Project. Led by Drs Colleen Renihan and Julia Brook, along with dance instructor and physiotherapist Amy Booth, this free weekly program studies the benefits of singing and dancing for seniors.
Since February 2020, over 350 individuals have participated in 105 sessions across Canada and the UK. The sessions are held on Zoom and in a hybrid format, featuring diverse themes and song choices tailored to members’ mobility, singing range, and lived experiences.
Members join us from their own homes or retirement communities affiliated with Kingston’s OASIS Senior Supportive Living Inc. program. Most recently, we have expanded to include members from several units in a long-term care home in Toronto.
The project has sparked multiple research initiatives, including interdisciplinary collaboration with the Queen’s University’s School of Rehabilitation Therapy. We examine how music theatre enhances older adults’ quality of life and redefines the genre. Our research focuses on PERMA well-being, gesture, and the aesthetics of voice. We explore virtual musicking as a unique form of place-making, the redefinition of singing and dancing in digital spaces, and the application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Additionally, we investigate using artificial intelligence for analyzing participation in Zoom-based programs.
Rise, Shine, Sing! has garnered significant media attention, including a series of radio interviews across Canada. It was also highlighted in The Conversation, which praised the program for breaking artistic barriers and enhancing overall well-being.
For more information, please visit our website or social media channels.