May 30, 2014 (Denver, NC) ─ It’s been a very musical year for 11-year-old Mary Lou Lackey. She began learning how to play an acoustic guitar just one year ago and since then she’s added the classical guitar, piano and harp. She recently shared her musical and singing talents with residents at Wexford House, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Denver.

“The residents couldn’t believe she was only 11,” said Activities Director Tabatha Funderburk. “Her voice is so beautiful and she is so talented.”

A homeschooled student from Pumpkin Center, Mary Lou takes guitar lessons from Diane Bradford. Her teacher let her “mess around” with a harp she had, and before she knew it, Mary Lou said she fell in love with the relaxing, calm, peaceful melodies of the instrument.

“I asked for a harp for Christmas and Santa Claus brought me a harp,” she said. “I was very surprised and excited. I didn’t think I was going to get it.”

Mary Lou decided to learn piano as well because she felt it would help her improve her ability to read and write new music.

“I play about two hours and thirty minutes each day,” she said. “You just get better and better each time you play.”

The budding musician especially enjoys sharing her talents with audiences at recitals and with Wexford House residents and the members of her parish, Anderson Baptist Church.

“I want to reach people who don’t know Jesus and lead them to Christ with my music,” she said. “I also believe music can help people with Alzheimer’s by bringing back memories of times they’ve forgotten. Music is beautiful and it helps people feel better.”

Mary Lou dreams of someday playing on a big stage and recording her own CD so people can download her music on iTunes. When she isn’t making music, Mary Lou enjoys planting flowers, riding her scooter, playing with her dogs Tinkerbelle and Pearl and spending time with her parents Carl and Angie and her sister Hannah.

For more information about Wexford House, please contact Administrator Pam Morrell at (704) 489-2633 or visit us on Facebook.