The marvel behind the music of Sounds of Hope Live, is Mary Shapiro.
Mary Shapiro is a performer, songwriter and educator. The journey with her mother and father through dementia and depression inspired her to serve older adults and their families. Well-versed in the Music & Memory® program and certified in Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care®, Mary is a trained facilitator for the Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers™ through George Mason University. In 2024 she will complete her training with the Music for Healing and Transitions program as a Certified Music Practitioner.
Mary provides therapeutic music for people with dementia, people in hospice, and individuals of all ages. Through contracts with senior living sites and hospice organizations she can provide live therapeutic music at no cost to the patient.
Mary presents engaging and educational workshops on the power of music for professionals, care partners, and families. She enjoys collaborating at community events, especially at the Senior Expos hosted by Aging Together.
Mary has a passion for creating personalized learning experiences - beyond the traditional "music book" approach that build both self esteem and technical competence. Her patience and extensive experience working with students of all ages and capacities makes her a perfect match for anyone interested in learning the wonders of music.
Mary is a songwriter. Using her extensive experience and study with award winning songwriters including Carrie Newcomer; Paul Reisler founder of Trapazoid; and Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey and the Rock, Mary works with her students to encourage expression through songwriting.
Mary is a performer. Mary’s first CD, Celebrate (2006) was inspired by the 25th anniversary of Little Friends for Peace. This live recording was created, produced, directed and performed by Mary with a dozen child superstars singing their hearts out! Her second CD, The Time Is Now (2010) is a collection of Mary’s original songs. Mary has performed venues ranging from schools to sacred spaces, conventions to concert halls, and has emceed over 500 shows.
Live Producer: From 2002 - 2012 Mary produced Sounds of Hope, a weekly benefit concert series in Washington, DC. Her events attracted over 1,500 musicians, 10,000 guests and raised over $100,000 for local charities.
What collaborators say about Mary…
Mary Shapiro has a powerful gift to
transform any gathering into something sacred –
blending songs of peace with
joy and laughter to give you the taste that
'another world is possible'.
---Jean Stoken, Justice Coordinator at Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Mary Shapiro inspires,
touches, and beckons us to
join in the song!
---Carrie Newcomer, Grammy Award winner
Every time I listen to Mary I am astounded by
how much of herself her songs manage to carry.
When a song is finished,
I am happy to say that our
souls have truly shared a moment.
---Tom Goss, singer/songwriter, recording artist