Holiday Performance at Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak

On Monday, December 9, 7:00pm – 7:30pm, talented pianist Lance Vardon of Oak Park was joined by violinist Haley Bennett, violist Lauren Bennett, flautist Katherine Mekis and pianist/music therapist Lisa Barnett for a performance of holiday favorites in the South Tower lobby of Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Devin Scillian, WDIV TV4 news anchor lead the guests in a sing-along. Moare than 100 guests joined in the celebration.

Lance Vardon is a 27-year-old- man who is blind and is on the autism spectrum. He learned to play piano with the help of music therapist Lisa Barnett. Although his verbal communication is limited, his musical vocabulary spans many genres: pop to classical; jazz to show tunes.

During the past five years, many have enjoyed listening to Lance play the grand piano in the lobby of Beaumont’s South Tower, where he has volunteered his time two or three days each week. His visits to Beaumont are made possible with the support of Sheri Sienkiewicz, Lance’s paraprofessional that has been with him since his days in the Berkley School District. Ms. Sienkiewicz will also accompany Lance at the performance on the 9th.

After the holiday performance the musicians, along with Devin Scillian, performed for the pediatric patients at Beaumont Children’s, while the guests were encouraged to gather on the sidewalk near the Medical Office Building and across from the hospital’s East entrance for Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams. Moonbeams starts at 8:00 p.m. each evening and runs from December 1 – 25. Northwestern Mutual and Poise Wealth are generous event sponsors of Moonbeams.