Uniting Dreams and Joy, announcing a new chapter for older adults. Merrymakers is now a program of Dreamweaver Foundation.

Dreamweaver Foundation

Executive Director Sandy Lemke tells all on Community News podcast

Dedicated to brightening the lives of seniors through music.

Merrymakers provides live, professional musical performances to almost 140 senior living communities throughout Nebraska and Iowa at no cost. Residents enjoy the opportunity to move and feel the rhythm through their minds, bodies, and souls. Our known and beloved performers are dedicated to improving the lives of those they serve.

How Merrymakers Music Works Wonders

Language that breaks through

Memories that open the mind

Movement that helps bodies stay strong

Performers

PerformersOur performers provide professional musical entertainment of every genre and era. From Frank Sinatra to Michael Bublé, out entertainers put smiles on every face.

Schedule

As the largest senior living music program in the nation, we offer professional entertainment across Nebraska and Iowa. Check out our schedule to see where we’ll be near you.

Donate

Your ongoing donation allows us to continue to set bold goals for maintaining and expanding our programs. Give the gift that keeps on giving!

"On behalf of our Dora Bingel Senior Center participants, I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity in blessing us with the gift of music! Recently we’ve had the pleasure of having Billy Troy here and John Worsham; they are top notch! But then again, all your entertainers are. Our hearts get so full with the blessing you provide, that it sometimes spills out of our eyes!! Our folks love the variety, the engagement, the feel-good moments that your entertainers provide. This senior center has been here for 25 years, and I even have some 2nd generation participants who used to bring their mothers! These “kids” are now in their 70s!! They never tire of the special feelings they get when being sung to. God bless you for all you do in caring for our older adults in this community and across the state!"

Cindy Schlegelmilch,
Senior Center Coordinator

Merrymakers
2021-04-15T12:06:14-05:00

Cindy Schlegelmilch,
Senior Center Coordinator

"On behalf of our Dora Bingel Senior Center participants, I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity in blessing us with the gift of music! Recently we’ve had the pleasure of having Billy Troy here and John Worsham; they are top notch! But then again, all your entertainers are. Our hearts get so full with the blessing you provide, that it sometimes spills out of our eyes!! Our folks love the variety, the engagement, the feel-good moments that your entertainers provide. This senior center has been here for 25 years, and I even have some 2nd generation participants who used to bring their mothers! These “kids” are now in their 70s!! They never tire of the special feelings they get when being sung to. God bless you for all you do in caring for our older adults in this community and across the state!"
"Our residents were talking about this great performance long after it was over. The second shift workers were asking me who had been here because all their residents were telling them what a good show they had seen this afternoon. Thanks, for all the good work you and Merrymakers are doing to provide us with all the top-notch performers!"

Senior Community Staff

Merrymakers
2021-04-15T12:05:31-05:00

Senior Community Staff

"Our residents were talking about this great performance long after it was over. The second shift workers were asking me who had been here because all their residents were telling them what a good show they had seen this afternoon. Thanks, for all the good work you and Merrymakers are doing to provide us with all the top-notch performers!"
"Merrymakers has done it again! My Mom is now at St. Joe’s Villa and we try to make every Merrymakers. Mr. Memories/Joe Taylor was a delight. My Mom sang along with every song. Again, Thank You So Much for what you do! "

Grateful Child

Merrymakers
2021-04-15T12:03:26-05:00

Grateful Child

"Merrymakers has done it again! My Mom is now at St. Joe’s Villa and we try to make every Merrymakers. Mr. Memories/Joe Taylor was a delight. My Mom sang along with every song. Again, Thank You So Much for what you do! "
"There is no way I can thank you enough for the smile that you put on my Moms face. God Bless you all!!! Please keep up the good work."

Leslee & Tibby

Merrymakers
2021-04-15T12:04:10-05:00

Leslee & Tibby

"There is no way I can thank you enough for the smile that you put on my Moms face. God Bless you all!!! Please keep up the good work."
"It is always great to have the Merrymakers come, and we all look forward to it. Your show was just what they needed to pick them up that day and keep them smiling all week long! Thank you also for taking the time out of your schedule to come and spend time with our residents. We really appreciate it. We look forward to your next visit. "

Facility Staff

Merrymakers
2021-04-15T12:01:44-05:00

Facility Staff

"It is always great to have the Merrymakers come, and we all look forward to it. Your show was just what they needed to pick them up that day and keep them smiling all week long! Thank you also for taking the time out of your schedule to come and spend time with our residents. We really appreciate it. We look forward to your next visit. "
“I didn’t want to take a nap today because I was afraid I would miss seeing Michael Lyon.”

Happy Resident

Merrymakers
2021-04-15T12:01:02-05:00

Happy Resident

“I didn’t want to take a nap today because I was afraid I would miss seeing Michael Lyon.”
"It truly warmed my heart to see Michael Lyon literally reach out to each and every resident. Perhaps unbeknownst to him he sang to the sweetest 103-year-old woman I’ve ever met (she’ll be 104 next month!). He also gave his attention to a beautiful lady stricken with the crippling effects of a stroke. I know she felt like a princess for that moment!"

Leah Sealey

Merrymakers
2021-04-15T12:04:54-05:00

Leah Sealey

"It truly warmed my heart to see Michael Lyon literally reach out to each and every resident. Perhaps unbeknownst to him he sang to the sweetest 103-year-old woman I’ve ever met (she’ll be 104 next month!). He also gave his attention to a beautiful lady stricken with the crippling effects of a stroke. I know she felt like a princess for that moment!"
"I have always believed in the healing power of music, but after working at Hospice House and getting the opportunity to work with the Merrymakers performers who come here, I know without a doubt just how powerful music can be. A resident had not been very alert in the morning before Bob and Ardeth’s performance, but as soon as he arrived and heard the old songs he had loved so much in his younger days, he was smiling and tapping his toes to the music. By the end, he was even singing along! What a wonderful thing for him; and what a wonderful thing for his daughter, who was with him for part of the performance, to see!"

Katherine Jarvis
Volunteer Coordinator
Hospice House

Merrymakers
2021-04-15T12:02:44-05:00

Katherine Jarvis
Volunteer Coordinator
Hospice House

"I have always believed in the healing power of music, but after working at Hospice House and getting the opportunity to work with the Merrymakers performers who come here, I know without a doubt just how powerful music can be. A resident had not been very alert in the morning before Bob and Ardeth’s performance, but as soon as he arrived and heard the old songs he had loved so much in his younger days, he was smiling and tapping his toes to the music. By the end, he was even singing along! What a wonderful thing for him; and what a wonderful thing for his daughter, who was with him for part of the performance, to see!"
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