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A Harpist at the Threshold: Hospice Stories of Love & Grace
Written and performed by Jayne Demakos

Through story and harp, a music-thanatologist shares deeply personal reflections from her work as a harpist at the bedside of the dying. Her performance explores how vulnerability, music, and presence can help guide the final passage with peace and dignity. With poetic insight, Jayne reminds us that the dying process can be met not only with fear, but with profound grace.
About the artist:
Jayne Demakos is a contemplative musician and music-thanatologist, certified by the Music-Thanatology Association International in 2020. She holds a BA in Piano Performance from Ithaca College and has taught music as medicine at the Ithaca College School of Music. Over the past 17 years, she has provided harp and voice at the bedside in healthcare settings, including Hospicare & Palliative Care Services and Providence St. Peter Hospital. Jayne is a founding faculty member of the Accorda Music Thanatology Institute and an entrepreneur with programs like GriefSong and CompassionHarp. She is also a choir director and private music instructor, and has released three recordings, including Sacred Chant: A Small Offering(2022).