Mirabella, an ASU retirement community, aids in the study of arts and inspires intergenerational connections through its artists-in-residence program. The program allows for graduate students at the School of Music, Dance and Theatre to live at Mirabella in exchange for performances on-site.
The close proximity between students and residents is what fosters close relationships and is ultimately the heart of the artists-in-residence program: A multigenerational community where arts and culture are celebrated.
The artist-in-residence program began in 2019 with a proposal from the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. It was designed by Lindsey Beagley, the director of Lifelong University Engagement, and Samuel Peña, a Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of Popular Music.
The program consists of three graduate music students and one graduate dance student. It was designed to aid graduate students and show off their artistic excellence while also serving the community at Mirabella, allowing residents to experience arts and culture through a different perspective.
Graduate students in the program are expected to perform once a week for residents, as well as partake in a "flex engagement" where they interact with residents. This interaction can be anything from a history lecture on jazz musicians to a guitar lesson, as long as it's an activity involving them and the residents.
Shelley Malinoff, a resident of Mirabella, shared her experience on how the program has reignited her love for the piano.
Malinoff established a relationship with Michelle Da Hye Kim, a doctoral student in music performance and a collaborative pianist. Kim was a member of the first cohort in the program, and since 2021, she and Malinoff have kept in touch.
In their time together at Mirabella, Kim and Malinoff shared a passion for piano. Through this connection, Malinoff began playing again.
"Truly, I had stopped playing, and if it wasn't for Michelle, I wouldn't have started again," Malinoff said. "And I love it."
Artists in the program often feel similar deep connections to the residents. Charity Morrison is a graduate student studying horn performance. In her time at Mirabella, she said her attitude toward the older generations has shifted as she becomes closer to residents.
"It's challenged and changed a lot of my perspectives about what I thought the older generation was like, and then also it ends up having that effect on my community as well because I bring them in here," Morrison said.
Morrison recalled a coworker from her time in the food service industry who now visits Mirabella.
"Somebody I used to be chopping bell peppers and onions in the back of a restaurant with, he now comes in and teaches guitar lessons to my neighbor," Morrison said.
This culmination of a shared love for the arts leads to unique connections that wouldn't normally occur outside of a program like this.
"I've built a lot of personal friendships and relationships with residents in the building and then that effect has extended outward as well with my peers," Morrison said.
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The original goal for the program was a community undefined by age.
"When we collaborated with the School of Music, Dance and Theatre, the idea was: music and the arts is one of these things that can bring generations together," Beagley said. "Because it doesn't really matter if you are 18 or 80. If you both love jazz music or whatever the case is, your age is irrelevant."
Mirabella has accomplished this goal of not only supporting the arts but also creating a community of people of all ages to share a mutual passion.
"It has made living at Mirabella wonderful," Malinoff said. "It is hard to imagine not having them here in the summer time, in addition to it being hot as anything. They're gone and we really miss them. We miss seeing them around. We miss having meals with them. We miss having music with them."
Edited by Andrew Dirst, Sophia Braccio and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at jagon128@asu.edu
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Jazlyn is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication. This is her first semester with The State Press. She has also worked at Blaze Radio.
