They say music is food for the soul.

But experts say there are also benefits for the mind and body as we age.

In partnership with the University of Kentucky and the City of Lexington, the Lexington Philharmonic provides music lessons to lifelong learners looking to pick up an instrument and their golden years.

Our Mackenzie Spink takes us to a violin lesson to learn more about the Creative Aging program.

This is part of our Next Chapter series that focuses on the rewards and challenges of growing older.

Jackie Dryden is one of the students in the Beginner Violin for Lifelong Learners class, a five week course offered through the University of Kentucky OSHA Lifelong Learning Institute.

I tried violin when I was in high school for one semester.

It keeps our brains busy and learning, so we want to keep learning something new.

Trying something new.

Jackie and her classmates are learning basic music theory how to properly hold a violin, and of course, how to make music.

Their instructor, Doctor Mary Elizabeth Hinton, says her senior students often surprised themselves with how well they can play.

By the end of a short course.

But that playing violin as a lifelong learner does have its challenges.

They, you know, might have arthritis or just other elements that are not allowing them to hold their instrument correctly.

And so, you know, that's why some of them have a bow, buddy or, you know, we try to adjust how they can hold their instrument with these elements.

It's very different learning to hold your fingers on the bow exactly where they should be.

And each one is different.

And just having it on your shoulder and under your chin, it's all very different stretches.

Our muscles and and joints, how they've not been before.

So it's just learning to hold the instrument and the bow has been a challenge.

Music education is also intellectually stimulating.

Music teaches rhythm.

We learn about notes on the page treble clef, bass clef.

And it's a little bit mathematical.

Getting them to cognitively think about their muscle patterns and also cognitively having to read music and apply it to their instrument.

That is a huge challenge, especially for those who might be having like early dementia.

Right?

Getting them to remember this over and over every day.

Building that new routine and then also feeling so successful, I think is really beneficial to their mental health.

Taking music lessons is an opportunity for valuable social interaction as well.

Doctor Hinton says she often sees friendships form in the classroom, but music can open the door for connections outside the classroom as well.

I'm taking what I learn to my granddaughter.

She also has a violin.

And so we're doing this together, and I would like to see Josephine and I play together and have, you know, that would be a bond for us.

Another learning for her and for me.

Lexi also travels to nursing homes and community centers to perform free concerts for those who may not be able to attend other Philharmonic events in person.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm McKenzie Spink.

Thank you, McKenzie, for that report.

Let's fill first started Creative aging programs back in 2022, in partnership with the city.

Since then, the Lexington Philharmonic has offered mountain dulcimer classes, music composition courses, and current