Martina plays and sings in care homes and hospital wards and loves the challenge of finding the right musical response to the often demanding situations she encounters there. During lockdown she tried to reach those who were isolated by producing pre-recorded musical programmes. All in-person performances take place with strict adherence to health and safety guidance.
Martina has worked closely with companies and organisations like Music in Hospitals and Greencandle Dance Company. They share the aim of bringing the arts into unusual settings, especially health settings. Playing in hospital wards, nursing homes, sheltered housing and day centres, Martina has developed a large repertoire which enables her to reach out to different ages and backgrounds.
She encourages her audience to join in with singing, clapping, percussion, gentle movement and dancing according to their ability. Each performance in these unique situations is a “happening”, often unlocking memories and emotions, as well as being a welcome change of the daily routine. For Martina it’s a very rewarding experience. Her repertoire is very varied, including a lot of music from around the world and from different eras, acknowledging different cultural backgrounds.
Martina has been invited again to the Channel Islands, this time to the island of Jersey where she will tour care homes and other health settings for ten days in early June 2026. The tour is being organised by the Jersey Arts Center in collaboration with Music in Hospitals/ UK.
Recent projects:
- June 2025: numerous concerts on the island of Guernsey for Music in Hospitals and the Healing Music Trust Guernsey
- Martina started delivering musical sessions for Age Exchange in autumn 2025.
- June 2024: 22 concerts on the island of Jersey for Music in Hospitals and the Jersey Arts in Health Care Trust
- April/May 2024: Martina toured care homes in Tower Hamlets with Greencandle Dance Company‘s show Adelaide & Noel, a dance theatre production designed for older audiences. An interview for the dance magazine Animated followed in autumn 2025.
- Martina co-led the Good Company project to create musical sessions for people living with dementia. It is a unique collaboration between different organisations – including Age Exchange, Green Candle Dance and Sinfonia Viva – and those living with dementia, including their carers.
- Martina is currently delivering many dance & music in health sessions as well as training sessions in collaboration with Green Candle Dance Company all over London as well as the online class “Remember to Dance”. Watch this documentary about the dance company’s important work on BBC Health Check.
- More ‘Green Candle Dance Sessions’ with Essex County Council.