I want to
take this opportunity to thank you sincerely for your keynote
presentation at our annual convention in Boston, June 15. Your
message was upbeat, challenging, humorous and moving – it was
amazing how you were able to blend such positive audience
interaction and powerful content without coming off as maudlin or
forced. Our convention attendees were all professionals in
long-term care, and your message impacted them in a relevant and
transformative way. Our goal was to send them away from this
convention excited about changing the experience and the
perception of aging…and your keynote helped propel them to that
very goal.
It means so
much to us that you were able to fit this convention into your
schedule. Taking the time to invest in this group of leaders will
create a return to you and to many elders and their families.
We look
forward to working with you in the future. I would heartily
recommend you to any group who wants to be challenged, informed,
motivated…and moved forward fast!
Sincerely,
Don Martin
Executive Director
Second Wind Dreams
"Exceptional. An hour of jam-packed,
thought provoking real life experiences intertwined with laughter, pain
and music."
Kelly Abernathy
American Family Services
Read more from attendees at the Virginia Health
Care Association.
"Wow! I've
been to hundreds of seminars but I have never
enjoyed one like I did today. What a wonderful combination of
song and meaning. Thank you SO much!"
Read more from attendees at the Nevada
Health Care Association.
October 18, 2006
Mr. Anthony Cirillo
15645 Northstone Drive
Huntersville, NC 28078
Dear Anthony:
On behalf of the New Jersey Hospital
Association and the more than 200 certified nursing assistants who
attended the Sept. 13 CNA Recognition Day, I want to thank you for
your uplifting and entertaining presentation.
As I walked through the room it was such a
pleasure to see the audience having fun, being engaged and
appreciating the words of wisdom you offered. Your message about
self-care, friendship and communication is so important for people
who care for some of the frailest, most dependent seniors in long
term care facilities.
Your energy was certainly contagious, and your
appreciation for the daily work and interactions between CNAs and
seniors really came through. You helped make our day incredibly
special and unique, and we thank you!
Warm regards,
Theresa Edelstein
Vice President
Continuing Care Services
"What a
wonderful, colorful, positive program."
See what more than 500 Minnesota Activity
Professionals had to say about the programs they attended.
Dear Event
Coordinator,
As an organizer for the 2006 Virginia Association of Activities
Professionals (VAAP) Conference, it was my task to locate and
secure keynote speakers. It was during this process that I met
Anthony Cirillo. Mr. Cirillo was our final keynote speaker for the
2006 VAAP Conference in March. His goal was to send this group out
with a final “boost of encouragement” to remind us that what we do
is important and impacts the quality of life for each resident we
work with.
Anthony met and surpassed my expectations through his words and
songs. Mr. Cirillo has a unique method of presentation – he shares
stories and then sings a song appropriate to the point he is
making with each story he relates. This venue reinforces the
positive statements/ ideas he desires to have the audience members
take with them. I found this to be a powerful tool because often
spoken words may touch a nerve at that moment, while words in a
song tend to settle into our minds much longer.
Anthony’s style is comfortable – he is very easy to listen to and
relates well with the people to whom he is speaking. He is able to
engage the audience by singing interactive songs which make the
session entertaining and exhilarating at the same time. There were
multiple occasions when the entire group was on their feet,
singing and clapping and even doing hand motions!
I would recommend Anthony Cirillo as a speaker for any group as
one to encourage and motivate his listeners. His vast knowledge of
songs mixed with a smooth voice and singing style makes him easy
for everyone to enjoy. Your participants/attendees will leave
feeling energized and uplifted by Anthony Cirillo’s presentation.
Sincerely,
Ginny A. Little
Chairperson for Organizing Committee for Speakers
for VAAP Conference held March 2006
"As a caregiver I find a great
purpose sharing love, laughter and
good humor. Thanks for such a great presentation. I also have an
86 year old mom who has a boyfriend, still lives in her home, she
has a good life."
"Excellent way to begin a
workshop-helped set the tone for
the rest of the day."
"Wonderfully presented-very
informative for family caregivers
to help us keep our sense of humor and enjoy our elder(s)."
"Refreshingly informative and
very relaxed presentation."
"Enjoyed his enthusiasm and
the information."
"What a wonderful
presentation! I loved the music, the
interactive nature and the humor. Excellent!"
Read more
from attendees at the 3rd Annual Heart of Georgia Caregiver
Conference.
Thank you so
much for the program that you presented for our retiree fellowship
group at Sardis. The intertwining of stories, humor and song was
delightful and very well received by our group. Thank you, also,
for including some "audience participation" pieces, it was great
to see our group up on their feet and I don't think anyone there
will ever, again, be able to hear the song "Rockin' Robin" without
a broad smile coming across their faces.
Thank you for
your fine program. Thank you, also, for your passion and
commitment in your work as an advocate for older adults.
Best wishes
always.
The Rev. Dr.
Jane Brawley Fobel
Parish Associate for Older Adult Ministry
(see the photos here)
"I haven't
laughed like that in months." He's such a great performer."
See what all the commotion was about at
Resources for Senior Living.
“Anthony held the post lunchtime
agenda slot at one of our national meetings. We were looking for a
presenter that would
energize the group in preparation for the afternoon topics.
Anthony delivered with a heartfelt and entertaining performance."
Mitchell Community
College
The Shepherd's
Center
I want to thank you for
making our recent event an outstanding success. Your love of older
adults exudes from your being. While bringing joy to seniors is
one of your goals, you also strive to make sure that our older
adults are not forgotten. As one who works with seniors everyday I
applaud you on your mission.
You have been blessed with
so many talents that you are able to teach life lessons to us
using stories, humor and song. And in doing so you make others
realize that our older adults are still living their lives and
should be accorded all the dignity and respect possible.
You made us laugh and
think and our attendees left energized and with a great feeling
about our organization. I would not hesitate to recommend you to
others who want to make an impression on their audiences.
Sincerely,
James Lape
Vice President Behavior Health, Psychiatry & Senior Services
Trinitas Hospital - Brother Bonaventure Extended Care Center
Claire, Betty and I want
to thank you so much for just an wonderful entertaining and fun
performance. We were just delighted with your performance and the
perfect balance of music and jokes. The evaluations that we received
from the seniors ranged from very good to excellent. We had a great
time and how perfect to end the event with your birthday song! Music
and humor are one of the best combinations for fun and enjoyment and
you have a great gift in bringing both to your audience with style.
Thank you again, it was a great pleasure to meet you.
I hope we cross paths again.
Sincerely,
Linda Bryant
Director of Senior Services
Hunterdon Medical Center
Flemington, NJ
It can be challenging at times to find
great, professional entertainment for my clients. Thankfully, Anthony
is a hit. Anthony is one of their favorites. Anthony not only has a
wonderful vocal ability but he truly cares for and takes the time to
interact with each person. He always sings the favorite songs from
their generation, evoking wonderful memories. Anthony has theme
programs and plans songs around the theme, cleverly tying each song to
the next through jokes and stories.
Over the years, I have
seen Anthony's sincere dedication to the senior adult arena grow. He
visits communities in North Carolina and several other states. He
recently released his first musical CD and his first book. His website
is a great tool for information for the senior population.
Anthony is a tremendous asset to our activities program and more
importantly an asset to our residents! Anthony understands the senior
adult industry and actively works to educate others of the positives
of this special time in a person's life.
Marianna W. Herron, ADC
Activities Director / Volunteer Coordinator
The Stewart Health Center
on the Cypress Campus
Charlotte, NC
Your music is such a blessing to our residents.
They truly enjoy getting to hear music that originates from the time
when they were growing up. He has so much talent to offer the senior
communities. His humor brings joy to all of our residents. They smile
and laugh at his jokes. They act 10 years younger every time that he
comes to entertain them. Anthony really relates with the residents.
The residents of our community get utterly pure enjoyment from him.
His music takes the residents back to their past and makes them
reminisce back into their childhoods. He's even asked some of the
residents to be part of his new book. This makes the residents feel
very special and proud. Just the thought of someone wanting to know
about them brings tears of joy to their eyes. Everyone here at Park
Place Assisted Living feels very blessed and honored to have Anthony
Cirillo as a part of the entertainment and activities.
Sincerely,
Mary Valverde
Activity Director
Park Place Assisted Living
Spartanburg, SC
Our senior adult banquet
on October 25 was a huge success, in large part, due to your wonderful
program. I've had many people say how much they enjoyed your
presentation. The variety of your songs, the involvement of the
audience, and your interesting comments between songs all combined to
make for a great program. We rate you a "10". Hopefully, you can
return in the future.
Sincerely,
Mike Hendrix
First Methodist Church of Mocksville, NC
I want to tell you of my
experiences with Anthony Cirillo. I first heard Anthony at an assisted
living facility for a Mother's Day celebration. I was so impressed
with his performance I contacted him to entertain at my church for a
special going away party for our minister and his family. Everyone
that attended had a smile on their face from the time Anthony started
his performance until he was finished.
Anthony not only has a
great voice and wide range of materials but also has appeal to a
variety of age groups. He really knows how to work the audience by
being interactive and funny. His act is most appropriate for church
groups of all ages. I hope you will share this information with those
in your church who may be interested.
Sincerely,
Miriam Beauchamp
Family / Adult Ministries
Sharon United Methodist Church
Lewisville, NC
I want to tell you about
a first-rate entertainer and superb vocalist, Anthony Cirillo. His
music is such a blessing to our residents. They truly enjoy getting to
hear music that originates from the time when they were growing up. He
has so much talent to offer. His humor brings joy to all residents.
They smile and laugh at his jokes. One resident said, "I feel like I
am in a nightclub being entertained by Frank Sinatra."
Anthony not only has a great voice and a wide range of materials but
also knows how to work the audience by being interactive and funny.
Everyone here feels very blessed and honored to have Anthony Cirillo
as a part of the entertainment and activities.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Cunningham
Activities Director
Wellspring
Greensboro, NC
Mr. Cirillo is a
consummate performer and appeals to the delight of any audience - old
or young. He has an excellent voice and is a professional entertainer
that I would recommend to anyone.
Debra L. Snyder
Project Director
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
Charlotte, NC
The first time Anthony
Cirillo sang for the residents was just the beginning. Before he even
packed up, the residents were claiming "We've got to have him back."
And back and back he has been. He is by far our biggest "attraction"
and is getting attendance from family members and friends as well.
The reasons are simple. He is a wonderful singer who interacts with
each and every person. Several residents have noted that it is a bonus
that "He's nice to look at too!" The thing that puts Anthony in a
class of his own is his performance. He does much more than sing. He
does much more than walk around shaking everyone's hand. What he does
is tell stories, sharing tales of his travel and life. This gets the
residents to reminisce and tell their own tales. Low and behold, no
one is worrying about their aches and pains, no one is worrying about
where they are and everyone is totally enthralled.
Additionally, Anthony has other avenues, which demonstrate how
compassionate he is for older adults. He has written a book, which I
read to my residents. He is on the cutting edge of providing tools for
caregivers and activity directors to enhance their residents or loved
ones quality of life. He seems to be tireless in all his endeavors but
professionally speaking, he is simply an advocate for the senior
population.
Sherri Tucker-Neff
Activities Director
Spring Arbor of Hickory, NC
