How Music and Guitar Lessons Are Changing Lives for Parkinson’s Patients – Theraplaying Featured on FOX 17

Thank You, FOX 17: Sharing the Power of Music for Parkinson’s Patients

We are incredibly grateful to FOX 17 West Michigan for featuring Theraplaying in their recent broadcast and online article. Their story helps shine a light on something deeply meaningful: the healing potential of music—and the hope it brings to people living with Parkinson’s disease.

In the segment, FOX 17 captured the heart of what we do at Theraplaying: using music—specifically, the guitar—as a powerful, joy-filled tool for therapy. At the center of the story is Brian Cote, a retired ER doctor, Parkinson’s patient, and now a guitar student. His testimony moved us:

“My symptoms began with the inability to write a sentence or two, but now I’m exercising those fine motor movements through strumming and picking a guitar. Who’d have guessed?” – Brian Cote

Brian’s experience speaks to the heart of our mission: to help people regain confidence, movement, and meaning through the joy of learning music.

The Science Behind the Strumming

As we prepare to launch Theraplaying more broadly, we’re thrilled to partner with Hope College for a new research study. Led by psychology professor Nate Klooster, the study will explore how music lessons affect memory and cognitive function in people with Parkinson’s. We’re also thankful for the support of a research grant from Hope, and for the involvement of Hope students who will help carry this mission forward.

“Music is a great, complicated cognitive ability,” Klooster said. “It’s visual, auditory, and physical—all at once.”

Past research collaborations with institutions like MSU, Northwestern, University of Miami, and Tokyo University of Technology have shown us just how much potential there is to transform lives at the intersection of music and movement.

A Movement Worth Sharing

We’re on a mission, and you can be part of it. Theraplaying is currently in the process of becoming billable to insurance and Medicare—a huge step toward accessibility. As founder James Lenger said:

“This has been so fulfilling. We’re discovering things that haven’t been seen before.”

But we need your help. You can help amplify this important work simply by sharing the story. Whether you know someone with Parkinson’s or just believe in the power of music, your voice helps us reach the people who need this most.

👉 Watch the FOX 17 video.

Thank you for being part of this community. Let’s keep strumming forward—together.

With gratitude,
The Theraplaying Team