Because Music Heals

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Salastina musicians, Young Artists, and guest artists perform private virtual concerts for patients, their families, and medical staff in UCLA’s ICU.

In August 2024, Salastina’s Vital Sounds Program began at Huntington Health’s CCU in Pasadena. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Salastina’s musicians share the healing power of music with Huntington Health’s long-term care patients and those receiving end-of-life care.

Salastina musicians have provided over 65,000 minutes of one-on-one music to over 3,100 patients and their caregivers.

“"We actually had a patient open his eyes and listen to the music…this is the first time he has opened his eyes for us!"

- Huntington Health Critical Care Unit Manager

“Thank you so much for all the kindness and generous support you have provided to the MICU patients and staff since May 2020! Reflecting upon the journey we have traveled, we can’t thank you enough... We’ve come to understand how meaningful music is to the human mind.”

- UCLA ICU Unit Director Nurse Sherry Xu

“This one-on-one concert between musicians and the patient and whoever is in the room is an intimate moment, a time for solace, which makes it significant. It’s not a generic concert; it’s focused on the patient. Vital Sounds brings in world-class performers through their connections. For example, Yo-Yo Ma, who can sell out the Hollywood Bowl, participated in this program. It is mind-blowing to me that you can have an artist who can sell out a world-famous venue play privately for a family in need. Being an anesthesiologist, I know that when you’re sedated under anesthesia, the last brain function that goes off to sleep is your auditory system. When people go off to sleep, their auditory system is still processing. The auditory system is preserved and can make that connection, which makes this program so poignant.”

- Dr. Nirav Kamdar, VP of quality improvement and clinical operations at Huntington Health

How It Works

In March of 2021, we were honored to share Yo-Yo Ma’s artistry with patients and staff for a special, intimate guest artist performance.

Watch Yo-Yo demonstrate how Salastina’s musicians provide the healing power of music to patients one-on-one — virtually, in real time, and for free.

“2 months in the hospital is chaos and classical music, especially Bach, brings welcome order. Your music was beautiful, and just what we needed. Bless you.”

- a patient’s daughter

Salastina’s Vital Sounds Program is made possible with the generous support of Project: Music Heals Us, the Ann Peppers Foundation, and individual contributions.