Finding Their Voice
At Cedarhurst of Canton, a Girl Scout’s vision brings music, confidence, and connection to life
On a Tuesday afternoon at Cedarhurst of Canton, a familiar phrase echoed through the room: “But I can’t sing.” It was a sentiment shared by many of the nine residents who would soon become members of something much bigger than they ever expected, a choir built not on perfection, but on courage, connection, and joy. Leading them was 15-year-old Portia Landon, a Girl Scout with a vision rooted in both heart and purpose. Inspired by her passion for music and a desire to better understand dementia and memory loss, Portia created Melodies for Memories as her Girl Scout Gold Award project— the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. Her idea was simple, yet powerful: create a memory choir where older adults could sing familiar songs, spark memories, and build meaningful connections through music.
What began as a concept quickly became something more.
At first, the residents were hesitant. Some worried about their hearing. Others doubted their ability to sing at all. The early rehearsals were less about performance and more about trust—getting to know one another, sharing favorite songs, and rediscovering the simple joy of music.
Portia met them exactly where they were.
With warmth, patience, and a natural sense of empathy, she introduced vocal warmups, taught conductor movements, and encouraged each resident to find their voice again. And slowly, something remarkable began to happen. Each practice, once filled with uncertainty, transformed into something residents looked forward to. They practiced twice a week, building not just a repertoire of songs, but a sense of confidence in themselves and each other.
14 CEDARHURST SENIOR LIVING | SUMMER FLOURISH 2026
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