Amplifying Joy: Viva’s Engagement to Create Community and Combat Dementia Through Music

In this episode of K. Elizabeth Toasts, we toast Viva, the Director of Operations and Community Engagement at Giving Voice, a nonprofit in the Twin Cities. Viva shares the personal and transformative journey that led her from volunteering, being a member with her mother, then finding a career at Giving Voice. Founded in 2014, Giving Voice combats dementia's social isolation by building choirs for people living with dementia, their care partners, and volunteers. With over 50 choirs nationwide, Giving Voice uses music as a joyful tool to foster connection, empowerment, and belonging. Viva explains how these choirs provide a safe space where everyone, regardless of musical ability, feels valued and seen. Tune in to hear heartwarming stories of resilience, joy, and the power of music to uplift communities! The choral music on this episode is the Giving Voice choir performing a song called "Sing Together" which was written for Giving Voice about navigating Alzheimer's. Links: Giving Voice: https://www.givingvoicechorus.org/ Toolkit: https://www.givingvoicechorus.org/startachorus Schmitt Music: https://www.schmittmusic.com/pages/stores/bloomington-mn CBS Mornings Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zBourGES0&t=159s