Every Thursday morning, the 89-year-old grandma Wu Pinxian, plays beautiful piano music for people to relieve (缓解) their stress at the outpatient department (门诊大厅) of Panyu Central Hospital in Guangzhou, CCTV News reported.

Wu has been a volunteer piano performer since the end of 2023. The hospital holds a piano performance every Thursday to create a relaxing environment and reduce patients’ worries.

Wu’s music is effective: many patients and their relatives sing along with her piano and some have even become her fans. Until now, Wu has been performing there every Thursday for one and a half hours with just a short break for almost four months.

Though Wu comforts others through her music, she herself is suffering from the pain of losing her husband, who passed away in December. _________ Working as a volunteer in the hospital not only brings back the memories of youth, but also brings warmth to others and increase the value of life.

Wu spends three to four hours practicing the piano every day. After picking up the piano as a hobby, she wants to realize her dream even if she is already 89.

“I believe playing the piano allows the patients to listen to music, which provides them pleasure. Although I had not played the piano for a long time, it is good to play for others. I will do my best,” Wu wrote down in her diary.

It’s late at night. Martin is sitting on his bed and he’s looking at his clock. His neighbors are making a lot of noise and he is very angry.

The people in Apartment (公寓) Two are dancing. The man in Apartment Three is singing. The woman in Apartment Four is practicing the violin. The teenagers in Apartment Five are listening to loud rock music (摇滚乐). The dog in Apartment Six is barking. And the people in Apartment Seven are having a big argument (争吵).

It’s very late and Martin is tired and angry. What a terrible night!

At New Visions School, hip hop therapy(嘻哈疗法) has become part of the school culture. Students rap(说唱) about being stressed about grades, tests, relationships, etc. Taliesha Tliompson, 15, said she now raps whenever she feels pressure building inside her. “It has opened me up more,” she said. “I was very shy and quiet. I kept everything to myself.”

Hip hop therapy grew out of an after-school club.The club was started by Ian P. Levy, a teacher who was developing a model for hip hop therapy as part of his research. Mr. Levy’s students recorded 20 songs expressing their feelings. “When sad events happen, it’s important that students have a way to express themselves,” Mr. Levy said.

This school year, Mr. Levy also started a music class at the school, called Hip Hop Lyricism. It is popular among students. Stacey King, the school principal (校长), said hip hop helped her connect with students like Ishmel Prince. Ishmel used to miss school two to three times a week because he could not get up. Ms. King bought him an alarm clock, but he still did not show up. But that changed after Mr. Levy and 19 students were invited to rap live on a morning talk show on Sirius XM Radio. Ishmel made an agreement with Ms. King. He promised to come to school on time every day in return for being allowed to go to the show. Ishmel kept his word. He studies hard now and has better relationships with others.

“Hip hop therapy is great. It has the power to reach out to people and speak to certain people. It has helped me find out who I am.” said Ishmel.