Citizen Musician

By building meaningful partnerships with healthcare organizations, older adults, and individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, students, faculty, and community members come together to perform, teach, learn, and create meaningful musical experiences.

These reciprocal partnerships foster creativity, belonging, well-being, and human connection while enriching the lives of participants and empowering students to become compassionate artists, educators, leaders, and engaged citizens. Together, we demonstrate the transformative power of music to strengthen individuals, enrich communities, and inspire a lifelong commitment to service through music.

Sound Health: Bringing Music to Medicine contributes to the environment of care through live music in healthcare settings, while giving music students the opportunity to connect with their community in non-traditional spaces. Sound Health has been in residence at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center since 2018, thanks to the Healing Arts program.

Click here to watch a video about Sound Health.

2026 - 2027 Student Performances

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Lobby, 12 - 12:45

505 S. 45^th St.

HeartBeats builds an inclusive community through shared music-making, where students and adults with developmental disabilities learn from one another, cultivate meaningful relationships, and experience the transformative power of music through teaching, learning, and music making.

2026 - 2027 music sessions include monthly sessions at the UNO School of Music with brass, education, flute, jazz, percussion, piano, saxophone, strings, and voice areas, where we welcome members of the Duet community from throughout the greater Omaha Metro. Duet is a disability service provider for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. HeartBeats is made possible thanks to the Weitz Innovation & Excellence Fund.

Click here to watch a video about HeartBeats

On April 20, 2027, 12:15 – 1:15, UNO student and Duet musicians will come together in a collaborative final concert at the UNO Strauss Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

Music & Memory builds an inclusive community through shared music-making, where students and older adults learn from one another, cultivate meaningful relationships, and experience the transformative power of music through teaching, learning and music making.

2026 – 2027 includes a partnership with the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Students facilitate monthly sessions with residents that include listening, making music, reminiscing, and sharing.

Click here to watch a video about Music & Memory