Uke Connect: A music-based connection with the community

Uke Connect:
A music-based connection with the community

About

Uke Connect is a community-based music initiative aimed at addressing loneliness and social isolation among older adults in high-rise buildings in Burnaby, including those living with dementia, through accessible ukulele learning and shared performance experiences. By offering ukulele lessons and culminating in a celebratory public Flash Mob performance, the project fosters music-based connection and public engagement. The event took place in June 14, 2025 from Burnaby Neighbourhood House to Metrotown Public Plaza.

Mission

To enrich the lives of older adults, especially those living with dementia, by fostering connection, creativity, and community participation through meaningful, music-based engagement that celebrates autonomy, dignity, belonging, and shared experience.

Core Values

  1. Inclusion: We create welcoming environments that value diverse abilities, cultures, and life experiences, ensuring music participation is accessible to all.
  2. Connection: We believe meaningful social relationships are central to quality of life and work to reduce isolation through shared activity and community presence.
  3. Empowerment: Through skill building and public performance opportunities, we support older adults to gain confidence, voice, and agency in community spaces.
  4. Joy: Music and collective creativity are central tools for sparking joy, wellbeing, and intergenerational exchange.
  5. Sustainability: We strive to build program models and toolkits that can be replicated and sustained to benefit other communities and research endeavours.

  • Reduced Social Isolation Among Older Adults

  • Enhanced Well-Being for People Living with Dementia

  • Promoted Confidence and Public Visibility

  • Strengthened Intergenerational Engagement

  • Developed a Transferable Toolkit

Outcomes

Our Team

Principal Investigator: Dr. Lillian Hung
Co-Leads: Dibbo Roy, Mario Gregorio
Research Assistants: Joey Wong, Janna Zeid, Jennifer Yu, Kevin Richard Chen Wang, Kayla Lim, David Shao, Yuka Ohno, Veronica Moros, Maico Lin, Serena Li, Albin Soni, Shambhabi Arora, Jason Fu, Janna Zeid, Riea Singh, Tiffany Wu, Riichi Rohit Mazi, Peter Zhao, Jeffrey Wong
Community Partner Lead: Alexis Haig