Music & Health
The Power of Music in Healing
Julien Xuereb believes deeply in the transformative role of music in healthcare. For over a decade, he has brought live performance into hospitals, retirement communities, and memory care units, creating moments of comfort, connection, and joy for audiences who often cannot attend traditional concerts.
Beginnings at Peabody
While completing his Master’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance and Pedagogy at the Peabody Institute (2013–2015), Julien began volunteering with the Creative Access program. Through this initiative, he performed regularly at hospitals, cancer centers, and senior living communities. His dedication soon led to a position as site manager, where he coordinated events and supported fellow student performers.
Artist-in-Residence at Springwell
In 2017, as he pursued his Graduate Performance Diploma, Julien was invited to become the first Artist-in-Residence at Springwell Retirement Community in Baltimore. Living on-site, he provided daily musical services, including open practice sessions, weekly performances in the memory care unit, monthly chapel concerts, and door-to-door performances for residents unable to leave their rooms. This groundbreaking residency drew attention from PBS, The Baltimore Sun, WBAL-TV, and Maryland Public Television (MPT), and inspired the creation of Peabody’s Musician-in-Residence program, which has since become one of the school’s most sought-after opportunities.
Music in Hospitals
Julien’s work soon expanded to medical settings, beginning with Sinai Hospital’s cancer center, where he performed for patients undergoing chemotherapy. These performances—sometimes offered at the bedside for patients in hospice—remain among his most meaningful experiences as a musician. After graduating in 2017, he continued to perform regularly for Sinai, Springwell, and the Weinberg Cancer Institute.
Ongoing Work in Washington, DC
Since relocating to Washington, DC, Julien has been awarded a project grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Now in its third year, the grant supports twenty annual performances at the GW Hospital cancer center, ensuring that patients in treatment have access to live music. He also continues to perform at Brightview Senior Living communities and is occasionally invited to appear at Johns Hopkins hospitals.
“Our team at GW Cancer Center is so grateful for the music that Julien shares when he comes to play in our infusion center. Patients consistently express that hearing Julien play while they are receiving treatments is a source of great comfort during a period that can often be distressing and anxiety provoking. He truly helps to create a more relaxing and peaceful atmosphere for both patients and staff.”
Press & Media
Julien’s work in healthcare has been featured by PBS, The Baltimore Sun, WBAL-TV, and Maryland Public Television.
