20 FEBRUARY 2026 By Mark Hays Music has a unique way of bringing people together, and recently, students from Biltmore Prep and Larry C. Kennedy Schools did just that during a special visit to Morningstar Senior Living. The students treated residents to a live performance that showcased developing instrumental skills and a growing confidence in vocal performance, creating a joyful and meaningful exchange across generations. The visit is part of a tradition led by longtime music educator David Rowe, who has made community performances a cornerstone of his teaching philosophy. For Rowe, sharing music beyond the classroom is just as important as learning scales or mastering technique. “As a music teacher who started by playing for the old folks in the retirement home, it has been a tradition to take my students to demonstrate their skills to an appreciative audience,” he said. That tradition came to life once again at the Morningstar Senior Living community located near Glenrosa Avenue and 32nd Street. As the students performed, the response from residents was immediate and heartfelt, Rowe said, filling the room with smiles, applause, and emotion. “The people were more than appreciative,” he said. “They had huge smiles while listening to the children. Some even shed some tears of joy!” The performance featured students at varying stages of their musical journeys. Biltmore Prep musicians, many in their first or second year of band instruction, played flute, clarinet, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and drums. Students from Larry C. Kennedy provided vocal performances, demonstrating both technical skill and expressive confidence. They prepared a varied program with music and narration for about 30 minutes,” Rowe said. He noted that the students selected the music. “The girls love to sing Laufey, and the band kids wanted to play ‘When the Saints Go Marching In.’” Beyond the music itself, the visit offered students an opportunity to connect personally with the residents. They introduced themselves, engaged in conversation, and learned firsthand how their performances impacted audience. According to Rowe, the experience left a lasting impression on both groups. “The senior center is eager for our return. We have created a bond with them, and since the school is right around the corner, we were able to walk back after the performance,” he said. “The joy and pride from the students was immense. It just shows how important it is to work hard. The reward is in a successful experience.” Rowe has been a dedicated figure in music education for more than four decades, beginning his career in the 1980s at Miami High School. Today, he continues to inspire young musicians, teaching Band and Guitar at Biltmore and Loma Linda School, and Voice and Guitar at Larry C. Kennedy – ensuring that music, and the connections it creates, continue to resonate across generations. Seniors and students connect through the power of music Paul, Karina, Lexie, Aliciah, Angel, Carter, Peggy, Shakty, Izabelle and Leilani. PHOTO: DAVE ROWE LOCALLUXURYRE.COM Ǖ2YO':ƙƙ OOYY ůŬŪƙŮŪŭƙůŬűŪ EXTRAORDINARY ESTATES | ICONIC RESIDENCES KATRINA BARRETT @k:OƔƵ O@2O CATCH KATRINA’S LOCAL LUXURY LISTING OF THE WEEK - THURSDAYS AT 9PM ON FOX10! A DESERT LOVE STORY '¸Ƶ ÍÜ}ÍïƔƵ סƵ ÑÍ×Ƶ Ѿ׸ÑƔƵ }¸Ƶ ס£ÑƵ L}Í}£ÑƵ j}²²ïƵ Ñ×}× ²ÑƵ ÊÍײïƵ }×Ƶ ¡¾·Ƶ £¸Ƶ סƵ ²£¡×ƙƵ S×Ƶ }²¾¸Ƶ ÊÍÑ×££¾ÜÑ ¡¸ïƵ Í£èƔƵ ס£ÑƵ ŬŬƔŪŪŪƩÑÌÜ}ÍƩ¾¾×Ƶ ÍÑ£¸Ƶ ²¸ÑƵ Í}¸ }Í¡£××ÜÍ}²ƵÊÍѸƵé£×¡Ƶ}ƵѸÑƵ¾Ƶ¾ÍײÑÑƵ}²·ƙ 6721 E CHENEY DR . PARADISE VALLEY, AZ 85253 îÊ}¸Ñ£èƵ ²}ÑÑƵ é}²²ÑƵ £¸è£×Ƶ סƵ ¾Ü×¾¾ÍÑƵ £¸ƔƵ ¾Ê¸£¸Ƶ ×¾Ƶ } ÍѾÍ×ƩÑ×ï²Ƶʾ¾²ƔƵÑ¡}Ƶ¾ÜÍ×ï}ÍÑƔƵ}¸ƵÑܸÑ×Ʃè£éƵ×ÍÍ}Ñƙ Ƶ Í}ÍƵ ²¸Ƶ ¾Ƶ ÊÍ£è}ïƔƵ }Ü×ïƔƵ }¸Ƶ ²£è}²Ƶ ²ÜîÜÍïƵ £¸Ƶ סƵ ¡}Í× ¾ƵL}Í}£ÑƵj}²²ïƙ KATRINA BARRETT @k:OƔƵ O@2O The joy and pride from the students was immense.
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