When Donna Mansfield moved from the vibrant music scene of Seattle to the quiet community of Kendallville, Indiana, this violinist and pianist wasn’t looking to slow down. She was looking for connection—and she found it through Audiences Unlimited.

“I had just moved here to be closer to my daughter,” she said. “Back in Seattle, I was playing for churches and nursing homes, and I even started a long-running open mic night.” Naturally, Donna wanted to continue the connection in her new location and approached a senior living facility.

“They told me, ‘We have a contract with an organization in Fort Wayne—you should talk to them.’ So I did.” That conversation led Donna to Audiences Unlimited, where she auditioned and began performing in 2019. Since then, she’s brought her unique musical blend to senior living facilities throughout northeast Indiana, offering everything from show tunes to Celtic reels and classical favorites.

“I try to bring music to residents that they might not otherwise hear,” she said. “Of course, I play familiar songs such as Don’t Fence Me In and Oh My Darling, Clementine—especially for memory care—but I’ll also mix in Broadway, old country, and even some Scandinavian fiddle tunes.”

Donna’s versatility stems from a lifetime of music. She began playing the piano at age five, picked up violin by fifth grade, and quickly advanced with both instruments through private lessons and youth symphonies. Though she once dreamed of becoming a music therapist—a field that was just emerging at the time—she’s found her own path to healing through performance.

“I’ve played with orchestras all over the country: Montana, Kansas, Seattle, and now here in Indiana. I’m still actively involved. I play with the DeKalb Community Orchestra and recently joined the Noble Community Chorus. I’m also part of an open mic series that meets monthly, and I’ve been helping organize a Cabaret event through the local parks and recreation department.”

But it’s her work with Audiences Unlimited that holds a special place in Donna’s heart. “When I play in memory care, it’s a completely different experience,” she said. “Sometimes I walk in, and people are slumped in their wheelchairs, heads down, seemingly unaware. But as the music starts, you see them come to life—heads lift, eyes open, they start singing along.”

Perhaps one of the most touching moments for Donna happened during her very first Audiences Unlimited performance. She had just closed her set with Amazing Grace. As she packed up, a staff member approached her with tears in her eyes. “She told me that one of the residents had passed away peacefully while I was playing. I’ll never forget that.”

It’s moments like these that keep Donna going. “There’s something sacred about music—especially live music—in these settings. People will come up after a performance just to shake my hand. Sometimes they don’t even speak; they just want to touch me. It’s such a loving exchange.”

Whether performing with a full orchestra, at a church, or for a small group in a senior living facility lounge, Donna’s mission remains the same: to touch people’s lives in meaningful ways through music.

“I’ve been doing this since 1978,” she said, “and I don’t plan to stop. Every performance is a chance to connect, to bring joy, and to awaken a special memory in someone. That’s the gift music gives us—and I’m honored to keep sharing it.”