Ali Nesman and Sallie Macintosh

Sallie started a music program for the residents of Edgewood Centre in Portsmouth, NH. She called it ‘Music is Magic’ because it brought joy to people who could no longer go out as well as helping those with memory loss to sing-a-long. When Covid 19 closed Edgewood Center to visitors, she worked with Ali Nesman to bring the live performances to the residents virtually. Incidentally, Sallie found dedicated musicians who gladly donated their time and talent.

Ali made Sallie Macintosh’s vision for live music at Edgewood Centre come to life before the pandemic and figured out the technical challenges to make the performances virtual after Covid closed the Edgewood Centre to outside visitors. Ali and Sallie are a redoubtable team!

The inspiration for the music was Sallie’s partner, Ron Shaw, one of the musical group The Shaw Brothers. His brother Rick Shaw was a resident at the Edgewood Centre and was part of the meetings and decisions about the music program. She saw how Rick would come to life listening to music and so began ‘Music is Magic’.