An interview with Valerie diLorenzo: Sing Loud for PD on August 26, 2024.
Biography
Valerie diLorenzo is a professional Singer, Stage Actress, Teaching Artist and Director; originally from NY, now making her home in SW FL. Her musical theatre program (Theatrix) and Vocal Programs have been honored by Lincoln Center as an exemplary integration of the theatrical and creative into the practical.
Valerie maintains an active life onstage as well; she is proud member of the Actors Equity Association and an award\-winning NYC Cabaret Artist. No matter what she does, however, people seem to be most interested in the fact that Valerie sang the National Anthem for the New York Mets for over 15 seasons. Please visit www.valeriedilorenzo.com – Support The Arts!
Can you tell me more about your organization?
I am not an organization; I am a self-employed performing arts professional.
Sing Loud for PD is a singing program presented as a joint venture with the APDA and Stonybrook Southampton Hospital Center for Parkinson Disease.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
Music, singing and providing opportunities for those to find and use their voice and SING!
Everyone loves to sing… it was a natural extension of my onstage life to provide these opportunities for singers of all ages and levels.
I was approached by Sarah Cohen, the Director of the Stonybrook Southampton Hospital Center for Parkinson disease, to lead a singing class for those with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Our singers want to:
- strengthen their voice (from the effects of Parkinsons and aging.)
- improve their memory
- have real, meaningful connection
- they seek an artistic outlet
- Have fun
- be a part of something that is tailored to their needs but does not diminish who they are or their capabilities
- Singers want a non-clinical environment to express themselves and just enjoy themselves without it being “about the illness.”
Our class does all this and more – Sing Loud is a weekly “Singing Club” where everyone is welcome and celebrated! They love to SING!
Our class offers a complete physical and vocal warm-up, followed by a selection of songs; usually centered around a theme. Participants often submit suggestions for songs and themes and participate in the weekly chat.
We have participants from almost all 50 states and all around the world – UK, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Portugal, Brazil and more.
We have sung more than 750 songs during more than 85 classes!
What type of training and how long are the programs?
Sing Loud is a virtual singing class presented on Wednesdays from 1-2 pm, anyone can join. The program used to be “Live and in person” for about 2 1/2 years and pivoted to virtual in May 2020.
What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
Sing Loud for PD can help:
- improve vocal and communication skills, including pitch, diction, volume, and swallow control.
- aid in memory, language, and executive function.
- relax muscles and reduce tension
- improve respiratory muscle strength
- Improve posture and stamina
- help reduce anxiety and low mood by releasing endorphins and lowering stress hormones.
- provide a sense of social support, community, positivity and enjoyment
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
A segment on CBS Sunday Morning!
National exposure from a major news outlet!
Larger audiences, more sessions – we are a true success story and Covid silver lining
What events do you participate in?
I am the Music Director for the Sing Loud program.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
Caregivers are welcome to join! One of the most meaningful comments I receive (and I hear it often) is when someone says to me: “Thank you for not treating (name of loved one) like a patient.”
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Valerie diLorenzo – www.valeriedilorenzo.com
APDA –
https://www.apdaparkinson.org/events/sing-loud-for-pd-12/
Stonybrook Southampton Hospital:
https://southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu/services/parkinson-disease#:~:text=Center%20for%20Parkinson’s%20Disease%20%7C%20Stony%20Brook%20Southampton%20Hospital&text=or%20call%20(631)%20396%2D,5%20pm%2C%20Mondays%20thru%20Fridays.
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Spread the word
participate in the program
stop the stigma of Parkinson’s and disease – there is hope and help
In your opinion what is the key to effective advocacy?
Know Your Audience
Communicate Effectively
Deliver a quality product that is also engaging, helpful and accessible
Walk the talk – demonstrate what you can do and keep doing it! Don’t STOP!
How can we better fundraise to support a cure for Parkinson’s?
Let’s have a Worldwide Vocal Awareness and Singing Day to help strengthen, improve and enjoy our voices!
What other activities do you undertake to help improve and support your daily living e.g. exercise and alternative remedies?
Plant based, whole food diet
Vocal health – water! no caffeine, alcohol or white sugar
daily exercise, meditation and relaxation
laughter and joy
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
Because we all need to care for and watch out for each other
Knowledge is power!
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
yes
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?
Over The Rainbow
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud, Sing out strong…
Which is what it done every Wednesday afternoon for the past 4+ years –
Sing Loud features songs of a different genre, composer, artist and themes including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, The Beatles, Elvis, Motown and beloved Broadway tunes from The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma and more.
Voice impairments impact 60-80% of Parkinson’s patients. Engaging in a music therapy-based singing intervention can significantly improve voice and respiratory control. Perhaps even more significantly, Sing Loud creates a community of people who love to sing and have a lot of fun doing something they love!
Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear
Just sing, sing a song – and boy do they sing!