Last Updated on August 9, 2024
In a world where ageism frequently casts a shadow, Julia van IJken emerges as a beacon, utilizing the emotive power of music to redefine narratives on aging. As the music scene undergoes radical changes – transitioning from tangible albums to digital streams and live venues to virtual spaces – Julia’s pioneering endeavors with the Young@Heart Chorus demonstrate that the flames of inspiration and innovation burn irrespective of age.
Julia van IJken’s illustrious trajectory seamlessly marries artistic flair with palpable societal impact. Her prowess as a deft editor and compelling storyteller was celebrated globally when she clinched the 46th Boston/New England Emmy Award in June 2023, an accolade from the esteemed National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This recognition was conferred for her exceptional editorial contributions to Young@Heart’s 40th Anniversary Film.
Earlier, in 2020, she co-crafted “MISS YOU,” a virtual concert by Young@Heart that not only spotlighted iconic artists like David Byrne and Steve Buscemi but also emerged as an economic pillar for the nonprofit ensemble during the pandemic’s challenging times.
In her expansive portfolio, Julia has also orchestrated Young@Heart’s stellar performances at The Big E, New England’s monumental state fair. With a staggering turnout of over 1.6 million attendees, this platform amplified the chorus’s captivating talents under Julia’s watchful eye. Her directorial and editorial prowess further resonates on PBS, particularly through her work on “Young@Heart’s 40th Anniversary Show” and “Young@Heart: Strong in Song,” magnifying the chorus’s universally uplifting ethos to broader audiences.
Branching beyond musical realms, Julia’s eclectic career saw her as a pivotal contributor at Dazed Digital, where her insightful interviews and riveting fashion narratives made waves. Collaborative ventures with Visionaire and Vitoria de Mello Franco, especially on the “Nado em Concreto” project, affirm her versatility, positioning her at the crossroads of art, fashion, and modern culture.
Our exchange with Julia offers a deep dive into her association with the Young@Heart Chorus. While this ensemble was already recognized as a professional arts organization, under Julia’s guidance, their potent art form reached unprecedented heights on the national stage. By challenging ageism head-on, the chorus broadcasted a powerful message for the entire nation. Julia asserts that the melding of a “beginner’s mind” with the profound insights drawn from life’s vast experiences lends the chorus’s performances an authenticity that is second to none. Many a time, the most mesmerizing moments emanate from vocalists making their debut, their genuine expressions adding a special touch to the ensemble’s illustrious journey.
Currently, Julia is sculpting a documentary capturing the 41-year odyssey of Young@Heart, intent on narrating stories that confront the prevalent ageism in today’s society. This venture epitomizes Julia’s career essence: unwavering innovation, limitless creativity, and an indomitable spirit driving societal transformation.
As Julia’s revolutionary virtual concerts chart new terrains and her forthcoming documentary promises groundbreaking narratives, she unequivocally stands as an avant-garde figure in the creative domain, ceaselessly exploring the infinite horizons of music and storytelling. The international recognition garnered by Young@Heart Chorus under her guidance is testament to her unparalleled impact and vision.
Hello, Julia! We’re so excited to hear more about you. Can you share a defining moment in your work with Young@Heart Chorus that made you realize the impact you were having on both the performers and the audience?
When it comes to the performers, there have been so many small moments: emails, letters, cards, poems written to me by chorus members. But it’s seeing them up close for this long that truly shows me the impact of our work on their lives. Many people think of Young@Heart as just another “singing program” for the elderly, but it’s not therapy—it’s an ambitious art project. However, working together toward a goal and being challenged creatively has had many benefits for the performers that could be considered therapeutic and beneficial for their health and overall well-being.
These folks are lively and mostly very healthy even at a really old age—six members are over the age of 90. Most stay with the group until it’s no longer possible, and we hear stories from family members about performers singing our songs on their deathbeds. This work is with people in their final phase of life, which is profoundly meaningful to me. Many chorus members tell me this work keeps them alive, and some have proven it. One was sent to hospice in the fall of 2020 with just a few weeks to live, but he had other plans; he made it out and continues to perform with us.
In terms of the audience, there have been several defining moments. One started when I saw how emotional our virtual shows were making people from all over the world. Another was right after I directed my first stage show with the group. I was greeted by a line of people who loved the show and thanked me profusely for the work I’m doing. Most of them hadn’t heard of the group before. This was incredibly touching for me, especially considering it was my first time directing the group on stage—something the audience didn’t know.
On a personal note, working with this group has had a big impact on me as well. The courage and perseverance I see in these people have helped push me, especially in singing—something I used to do mainly in the shower or the car. Now singing and directing others in singing are a huge part of my creative work. I’m not sure I would have taken that step without working with these folks.
The 40th Anniversary Show was a significant milestone for Young@Heart Chorus. What were some of the innovative techniques or approaches you employed to make the show stand out?
One of the key approaches for this show involved finding ways to bring late, great Young@Heart performers back to life on stage with us. We achieved this in various ways, but one of my favorites involved using video and audio of former chorus members, accompanied live by our current band and chorus. Technically, it was challenging to edit the single-track original recordings, which often included background band audio that needed to be removed while preserving the soloist’s vocals. However, with a lot of work from our audio engineer, this technique turned out to be very successful. The opportunity to not only pay tribute to these singers by having current members reinterpret their songs, but also to actually “sing” with them—projected onto the back of the stage—was special and brought the group’s history to life.
In the concert film version of the stage production, I edited in material from past performances at specific moments, further spotlighting past soloists and iterations of the chorus. This was effective in showing the contrast between then and now, and at certain points, it becomes unclear whether you’re viewing the present or the past—a fitting ambiguity for celebrating 40 years of performances. I dislike productions that offer a dry, chronological overview of history; as a director and editor, it’s important to me to bring the past to life and integrate it into the present.
Producing and editing performances involving senior singers likely presents unique challenges. Can you talk about some of the hurdles you had to overcome, and how you did so, during your time working with the Young@Heart Chorus?
In the early days of the pandemic, many of the challenges involved helping elderly people navigate digital technology while they were isolated at home, often using devices they had little experience with. This led to a lot of explaining, re-explaining, and even some laughter. These limitations prompted a constant need for creative problem-solving: how could we create an engaging virtual show under such constraints?
I like to think of it as shifting lenses—focusing on what’s possible and unique in any given situation, rather than dwelling on what’s frustrating or lacking. This change in mindset didn’t merely help the group survive the pandemic’s challenges; it actually enabled them to thrive creatively and financially during a difficult time for both arts organizations and seniors globally.
When the group returned to live performances in 2022, memorization became a significant hurdle for chorus members. As a director, I have to know every part of every song so I can quickly guide people back on track if something goes awry on stage. While a chorus director always needs to be well-prepared, the element of unpredictability is especially high with this group. I need to be on my toes, ready to direct the soloist, full chorus, and our seven-piece band without letting the audience know anything has gone amiss. Often, it’s challenging for the audience to even realize something unplanned has occurred.
Young@Heart is a professional arts organization comprised mainly of untrained performers, backed by a professional band. The artistry lies in the curation and professional guidance, making this group truly unique. We’re not just engaging in a fun hobby; we aim for artistic excellence, striving to create high-quality performances together.
With the show being broadcast on PBS NY/WNET/Channel THIRTEEN, Young@Heart Chorus reached a national audience. What role did you play in making this happen, and how does it feel to elevate the group to this new level?
I directed and edited the TV program versions of Young@Heart’s 40th Anniversary Show for PBS NY. The task involved strategic planning from start to finish. My aim was to introduce the group to a new audience, so I created a concise yet dynamic overview of their 40-year history as an introduction to the concert film. The PBS NY programs were 30 and 60 minutes long, whereas the original stage show ran nearly two hours. This necessitated significant editing to select songs and performances crucial to the show’s narrative, all while providing a comprehensive “summary” of the stage event.
Young@Heart has garnered national and international attention on multiple occasions in the past. However, this was the first time since their post-COVID return to the stage in mid-2022 that their work was so prominently featured for a national audience. Elevating them to this level was deeply rewarding, especially with a production that both honored 40 years of the group’s contributions and paid tribute to past chorus members, whose influence has so indelibly shaped the ensemble.
Many find Young@Heart Chorus emotionally captivating. How do you, as an editor and director, capture, and amplify that emotional resonance in your projects?
Over the last few years, I’ve gotten to know the members of this group so well, and that’s been invaluable in all aspects of my work as an editor and director. I know which songs might work best for each soloist and understand their unique skills and talents. Because no two people deliver a song the same way, selecting the right person for a song ensures that it shines to its fullest capacity and resonates emotionally with the audience.
Song selection is a big deal, not just in terms of which soloist is chosen for the main parts of a song, but also in deciding which songs are chosen in the first place. Many songs completely change in meaning when sung by elderly folks, creating powerful and emotional experiences. For example, songs like the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” and Talking Heads’ “Road to Nowhere” take on new, often deeply emotional dimensions when sung by the Young@Heart. This can surprise the audience, making them hear a familiar song in a new light.
When editing, it’s really about highlighting the specifically emotional moments in a performance. It helps a lot that I’m part of every single aspect of the creation of these shows. When I’m editing a film production, the content isn’t new to me; I planned the stage shows, was there for the rehearsals, and was on stage when it was filmed. Because I know the performers so well, I know when a look between two people means something special, allowing me to amplify emotional moments quite easily.
Are there any memorable behind-the-scenes stories or “lightbulb moments” during production that you feel significantly contributed to the success of the 40th Anniversary Show?
A standout performance that captures the essence of Young@Heart was a duet by Shirley Stevens, 88, and Steve Martin, 94, singing “I Remember It Well” from the 1958 musical Gigi. Despite struggling with the lyrics throughout rehearsals, we decided to trust the moment and include the song in the show. The irony of two elderly people singing a song titled “I Remember It Well” and not actually remembering it well turned out to be not just funny but deeply emotional and meaningful.
The decision to keep the song hinged on a balance of factors. First, the lyrics and title were a perfect fit. Second, both performers showed the perseverance to pick up the song after stumbling, capturing a relatable, human element of trial and error. The ability to embrace those “mistakes” and make them part of the moment relied on Shirley and Steve’s stage charisma, their capacity to improvise, and their genuine chemistry—they began a romantic relationship after meeting at a Young@Heart rehearsal. This chemistry lent an extraordinary layer of emotional depth to their performance, making it an especially poignant reflection of love in old age.
Further enhancing the moment was the stark contrast between this performance and their next duet, Sonic Youth’s “Schizophrenia,” which they delivered flawlessly. The juxtaposition of the two songs—struggling in one, nailing the other—felt metaphorical, capturing the essence of ageing and perhaps life itself: stumbling, getting up, and moving on.
This is the sort of realness that defines Young@Heart. It’s not just a “cute” ensemble of singing seniors. There’s a high standard of artistry and curation, and moments like these reflect that standard, adding a layer of magic both on stage and in the filmed production.
How do you go about integrating the creative input of the chorus members, given that they bring a lifetime of experiences to the table?
One of the unique approaches we take when introducing a song is to allow the soloist to first listen to the original track only a few times. This helps them get an initial sense of the song’s rhythm and timing. After that, we ask them to put the original aside and interpret the song in their own unique way. My role as a director is nuanced: I have to provide the soloist the freedom to interpret while also knowing when to guide them in another direction.
The end result often yields magical and surprising performances—interpretations that we couldn’t have conceived ourselves. I believe the years of life experience each performer brings are channeled into their music; you can hear this in the texture of their voices and in the way they pronounce and emphasize words. Our collaboration with a seven-piece professional band is crucial here. Even if a voice is unusual or fragile, strong musical accompaniment can elevate almost any performance.
While I’m keen on highlighting the vulnerabilities and imperfections, there must be high musical standards to support them. It’s a fine line between amateurish charm and a truly impactful performance that resonates because it reflects the reality of aging—yet is still artistically robust. A lot of this distinction is attributable to our skilled band, who help us illuminate the inherent beauty in these so-called flaws and in the aging process itself.
Some of the most magical moments arise when we assign a solo to someone who has never really sung before. These individuals are particularly fascinating because they bring an unpredictable, “beginner’s mind” approach to interpreting and delivering their songs. The fact that someone can possess a beginner’s mind at an average age of 86 is life-affirming. There’s a unique alchemy that occurs when you combine this youthful mentality with decades of life experience, blending vulnerability and strength. It’s awe-inspiring to see someone discover a latent talent or persona—something they’ve never known was within them—even at this advanced stage of life. Imagine how many people go through their entire lives without making such a discovery!
Now that the 40th Anniversary Show has been so successful, what are your future plans for continuing to innovate and elevate Young@Heart Chorus?
I’ve been assembling an archive of the group’s video and audio material spanning the last 41 years, with plans to create a documentary that delves into our rich history. While a successful 2008 documentary, aptly named “Young@Heart,” showcased the group’s preparations for a stage show, it only covered a six-week period.
Our story is much more expansive: 41 years featuring concerts, theatre productions, tours across countries from New Zealand to Norway to Japan to Singapore, collaborative performances with remarkable talents like David Byrne, and significant initiatives like our collaboration with a gay men’s chorus during the height of the AIDS crisis in the early ’90s. Not to mention our PrisonVision project, where we rehearsed and performed with inmates in local prisons for several years, as well as numerous intergenerational collaborations with children’s choruses and bands. The roster of stories is long, and each one challenges the pervasive ageism that exists in Western society. Over the years, the group has been home to many incredible characters—amazing performers and people who may no longer be with us but whose contributions continue to redefine what aging can signify.
The core mission of this group is to eradicate ageism and break down stereotypes about aging through innovative musical performances that both inspire and unite diverse communities. This has been the mission since our inception in 1982, and I am eager to continue advancing it. This mission isn’t just important—it’s vital. We are all aging, and societal attitudes toward this process are often filled with fear, prejudice, and misunderstanding. While we can’t halt the aging process, we can certainly reshape our perspectives on it. In doing so, Young@Heart is not just contributing to the conversation; we’re leading it.
