Connecting Through Song: A Cantonese Music Research Project for People Living with Dementia and Their Communities in London
What is this project about?
Connecting Through Song is a pilot creative health research project led by Dr Jess Hui, with sessions run by music therapist Charlotte Chu.
The project explores how culturally informed, community-based music therapy can support wellbeing, connection, and creativity among Cantonese-speaking communities in the UK, particularly people living with dementia and their carers.
The project involves a series of 8 weekly, 1-hour group music therapy sessions.
No prior singing or musical experience is required.
Who can take part?
This project is open to:
Cantonese-speaking adults
People living with dementia
Family members, friends, or carers over the age of 18.
What will happen in the sessions?
Sessions will last around 1 hour, and there will be 15 minutes before the sessions for you to enjoy some food and drink as well as socialise with other people participating.
During the session we will make music together by singing and/or playing percussion instruments. Sessions may also involve gentle movement and exercise, spoken reflection, and other creative activities.
Sessions will be facilitated in Cantonese and English, based on the needs of the group.
Cost
These sessions are free to attend.
Dates and location
Dates: Tuesdays - July 7, 14, 21, 28 and August 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 11:00am–12:00pm (arrival from 10:45 am)
Location: ESEA Community Centre, Hackney, London
Taking part
Taking part in this project is voluntary. If you decide to take part, you will receive more detailed information before being asked to confirm your participation.
This project has been reviewed and approved by the Trinity Laban Research Ethics Committee.
Next steps:
Thank you for your interest in this project.
If you would like to take part or have any questions, please contact: Dr Jess Hui
j.hui@trinitylaban.ac.uk or fill out the Contact page.
Facilitator Information:
Charlotte Chu Pui San
Charlotte is a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered music therapist based in London. She has over three years of clinical experience in special education needs and mental health settings, delivering both individual and group music therapy sessions. Charlotte obtained her Master of Music Therapy from the Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London. As part of her professional training, she provided music therapy sessions in two care homes, gaining valuable experience with older adults, particularly those living with dementia and mental health needs.
Originally from Hong Kong, Charlotte relocated to the UK in 2018. She speaks Cantonese as her first language and is fluent in English.
Charlotte’s work centres on fostering social connections, encouraging musical expression, and enhancing quality of life through shared musical experiences.
Jessica Tsun Lem Hui
Jess is a community music facilitator and researcher based in London and Hertfordshire. Her work explores how voices, in both technological and community music settings, can be used to shape identity and wellbeing.
She is currently a lecturer and researcher at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, and a freelance community arts facilitator. She enjoys facilitating weekly singing workshops for people living with dementia and their carers at Herts Musical Memories. She has over 12 years’ experience working in community music settings as a teacher and facilitator.
She completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge in 2024, and was a Visiting Researcher at Tokyo University of the Arts in 2022.
Born and raised in Edinburgh to Hong Kong parents, she has also lived and worked in Hong Kong as a teacher.
