10 Dec 2020

Bringing joy to rest home residents and hospital patients

From Afternoons, 1:37 pm on 10 December 2020

Talented pianist Shaqaila Uelese has performed at many rest homes and hospitals. During lockdown, she launched Creatives on Call to help other performers "find somewhere to share their gifts".

Shaqaila Uelese

Shaqaila Uelese Photo: http://creativesoncall.org/

Shaqaila first played the piano at a residential care facility back in 2011 when her father was diagnosed with cancer and spending time at a Hastings hospice.

"It's something that really helped me throughout his journey," she tells Jesse Mulligan.

"It's been about nine years and I still continue to play the piano at health care facilities just 'cause I know that there's healing in music, especially bringing people together in places like hospitals and hospices. I know it can bring a lot of joy."

Volunteer performers - which could be poets, dancers or musicians - can sign up with Creatives on Call to be matched up with health care facilities in their area, Shaqaila says.

"If you're a pianist the Waitakere and the North Shore hospitals are looking for pianists."

This 2014 video of Shaqaila playing 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on a street piano has over 1.3 million YouTube views and was shared by Queen guitarist Brian May on his personal social media platforms: