Music soothes the soul and boosts attitudes and outlooks. It also helps the brains of premature newborns develop despite the stressful environment where they live in the neonatal intensive care unit at the hospital.
With all of the beeping machines and bustling about, it’s no wonder that the teeniest of the tiny babies struggle a bit in the NICU. Numerous studies have shown that playing music in the NICU also improves sleep patterns and heart rates in these delicate little bodies.
One of the most soothing instruments to listen to — the harp — often is used in orchestral pieces and at weddings for the peaceful bridal entrance.
A 27-string harp can also be found emitting soothing strains of music in the special baby care unit at Cairns Hospital in Queensland, Australia, by an incredibly talented 13-year-old girl.
Hannah Burnett has only been playing the harp for 1.5 years, but she can strum the most beautiful songs.
The music she creates has had an amazing effect on the babies in the hospital, which happens to be the very same place where she was tenderly cared for after her own birth.
Her delicate fingers pluck and strum the strings, sending beautiful music wafting across the unit. She has played at the hospital other times, such as during the holidays on the children’s’ floor.
The healing power of music is alive and well in this unit where the parents are incredibly appreciative of Hannah’s dedication. Twice a week during school holidays, Hannah lugs her harp to the hospital and spends an hour treating everyone to her soothing, sensational songs.
Jonelle Mayers, a representative from the Special Baby Care Unit, said everyone can clearly see the benefits of Hannah’s casual concerts played just for them.
“This is the first time we’ve actually had someone come in and play a musical instrument in special care, but we’ve been so happy and so have the families that we asked Hannah if she’d like to come back over her school holidays to play more for us. A lot of the noises can be quite toxic in a hospital. Then to have something so soft and gentle and calming as a harp playing music that drifts down the cooridor is absolutely beautiful. We’d love a musical therapist because there’s so much documented support in how much it helps people in the hospital and improves outcomes.”
Hannah has even composed personal pieces just for the babies.
“You don’t really want a Highland jig for the babies because that might make them cry. It’s been a really wonderful experience, and I’ve loved playing for the children and seeing the faces of people when they just light up seeing beautiful music. No one really wants to be in the hospital with all the noise and the beeping and the crying, and yeah I just really wanted to come here and help the children.”
What an incredible gesture this kindhearted teen is making for the most delicate of all babies and their nervous parents. Listen to one of her performances below and be prepared to be stunned by her talent!
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