This class opens at 9 am. There are about 10 members, aged 50 to 80. Initially, the class only had 1-2 students, thanks to its growing popularity, there are over 30 students in total at present. The elderly come here to practice piano twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday.


 

Teacher Dinh Le Hoang Tai, 26, who has taught the class for more than four years, said that it was opened with an aim to create and share fun among the elderly people.

Besides learning from the teacher, students also teach each other. 

 


 

Ms. Le Thi Phuc, 84, from Binh Thanh district has been joining this piano class for 2 years and she is the oldest student. “Living alone, having a lot of free time and also afraid of being absent-minded, so when I heard about this free piano class for the elderly, I immediately signed up. Coming here to meet others and live in music also helps me to be happy, relax my mind and train my memory," said Ms. Phuc.

The hardest part is remembering where the notes are on the keyboard. Teacher Tai said that he initially encouraged the elderly to study, but their perseverance became a source of encouragement for the young teachers.


 

Ms. Le Thi Phuc, 84 and her classmate.
 

Elderly people come here to study music and they also have new friends.


 

In addition to learning how to play the piano, students spend the last 45 minutes practicing singing. This helps them remember the music they play for a long time.


The students also spend time learning to dance.

Mr. Vo Ngoc Duong said that the music class has become his favourite place. ‘I've never missed a class over the past two years. I really enjoy the lessons and the relaxing time with my teachers and classmates," he said.



 
In addition to students in HCM City, the music class has also attracted people from the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Dong Nai.

Quoc Vuong