WHBPAC's 'Melodies and Memories' Program Celebrates 15 Years

The group currently taking part in Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center’s “Melodies and Memories” program will be presenting a performance on Sunday, November 23, to commemorate the milestone 15th anniversary of the creative outlet for seniors.

First started in 2010 by WHBPAC Executive Director Julienne Penza-Boone, “Melodies and Memories” is an artistic program specifically designed for senior citizens that features a semester of classes, discussions and rehearsals culminating in an end-of-semester showcase. The final performance features varying pieces performed by members, from original monologues to musical theater songs, and sometimes even dance performances.

In a recent interview, WHBPAC Arts Academy Director Justin Harris spoke about his role in this landmark program, as well as its lasting impact and importance for seniors in the community.

Harris first started working at WHBPAC in 2016, and has held a variety of positions within the company. He began full time as arts academy director in winter 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been the director of arts education for two years, working directly with “Melodies and Memories” as an instructor.

“Much like my previous roles, I coordinate, oversee but now book and build all current programming from after-school musical theater programs to adult music and dance as well as continuing to teach various classes such as ‘Melodies and Memories,’” he said.

Harris added that he works to develop programming for students of all ages, from 5 to 99, facilitating opportunities to “investigate artistic and creative interests and potential as well as build a community for individuals to further develop life skills through the performing arts.”

For the past five years, he said, he’s had a “front row seat” to the “Melodies and Memories” program.

“Through the years we have had sizable retention of members,” he explained. “Not only does the program’s foundation remain strong but the opportunity for its growth is innate.

“The participants are able to visibly develop their skills and ability at a steady pace as well as be empowered enough to offer feedback on their experience and how the program continues to provide opportunity to now pursue greater goals,” he continued.

Unfortunately, throughout the years that Harris has been there, the program has experienced the deaths of two of its members. To cope with these losses as and when they come, Harris said, the group comes together to celebrate their lives.

“We held space during rehearsal for the entire group to memorialize their friends, share memories of their time together and honor their legacy as a classmate, but also their personal impact within the group,” Harris said.

Every year, the “Melodies and Memories” showcase has a theme that the group works around. This year, the theme is “Joy in Perseverance” and Harris noted that previous themes have included “wisdom” and “gratitude.”

“We open the floor for participants to share anecdotes about their lives relating to the theme through discussion, theater and sensory exercises, improvisation and writing prompts,” Harris explained.

“Some semesters, we begin by gathering physical objects that might have been popular during the lifetime of the participants, especially from their youth and early years,” he continued. “This begins conversations of memories, appreciations and specific visceral reactions to the items.”

The past two years, though, Harris has begun with an exercise akin to Mad Libs, where participants use an “I am” prompt to articulate who they are creatively through poetry.

“For returners, this is fun to reflect on the differences from one year to the next of their answers,” he said. “For newbies, it’s a time to introduce themselves to this wild bunch and show their willingness to dive in and create.”

Maida Berenblatt, a member of the program, provided some insight into her experience with “Melodies and Memories.”

“I suffered a major medical event that affected my ability to walk and talk,” she said. “This program has helped me be myself again and to be the best Maida I can be.”

Jeremy Berenblatt, her son, who also participates in “Melodies and Memories,” added his thoughts about his mother’s presence in the program.

“I’ve seen a fantastic change in my mother,” he said. “She loves performing and being in the public. Each week, she is so excited to come to class.”

Finishing with his experience, Berenblatt said, “‘Melodies & Memories’ has helped me find my voice as a cancer survivor. Justin Harris stood next to me and said, ‘You have a voice, let it out.’ We’re not just watching performers, we’re living it.”

The “Melodies and Memories” end of semester showcase will take place on Sunday, November 23, at 3 p.m. at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach. The event is free, but registration is required at whbpac.org.