Portland Music Entertainment’s President Pablo Grabiel’s Work With the Elderly
Pablo’s love of music was nurtured from childhood where music played a prominent role in all activities—from toy round-ups to holiday celebrations and summer camping trips. However, he discovered the healing power of music while teaching himself the guitar during a rough patch in his late teens.
While studying at UCLA Pablo began using music to connect with special-needs populations in his volunteer work in programs such as UCLA Unicamp. Pablo graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Minor in Business from UCLA. During his first job out of college, working as a Behavior Analyst for families and caregivers of developmentally disabled children and adults, he continued to incorporate the therapeutic values of music into his work with special needs populations. Pablo began writing music designed to curb specific behavioral issues and to teach replacement behaviors and encourage daily routines. Pablo also began to use music in his work with challenged adults and children as a means of therapeutic recreation.
Pablo worked as Director of Activities at Fairfax Nursing Center where he used music on a daily basis with the residents to entertain as well as to stimulate physically, mentally and spiritually. Pablo’s charisma and personal style has made him the foremost entertainer for senior communities performing thousands of times in over 100 different senior and special needs communities regularly. Pablo has extensive experience in therapeutic recreation and working with seniors of different populations including Alzheimer’s, Rehabilitation Centers, Skilled Nursing and Assisted and Independent living populations. Due to his experience and understanding of special needs population, Pablo most recent work with the elderly led him to design a unique set of programming with hand-picked and trained musicians that specialize in serving seniors. His ability to teach others how to stimulate seniors physically, emotionally and spiritually through music has made his senior division of entertainment the foremost choice for activity directors and family members in the Portland area who want a band of merry men/women and music that will connect with their residents and loved ones.
Testimonials
“I have been working with Pablo Grabiel’s company for a couple of years to provide Maplewood Park Place with “Top” musical entertainment. We do a variety of events and I am very pleased with the quality of service we get each time a booking is made. The residents and staff are requesting Pablo’s services by name and that in itself is a testimonial all by itself! Thanks for all you do for the community.”-Linda Brumskine, Community Life Director, Maplewood Park Place
As an activities director for an Assisted Living facility, I hire entertainers to perform for my seniors on a regular basis. Pablo Grabiel with Portland Music Entertainment has been a tremendous asset. Through his company, I have booked many ensembles, from Spanish & Jazz guitarists to pianists, as well as his own personal services. I can call him at a moments notice and he will provide me with a great entertainer. He is great to work with, and all his musicians are well received by my residents.
-Louise Griffin, CTRS, Director of Activities, The Georgetown Retirement Residence
“What can I say about Mr. Pablo Grabiel? He makes it a point to remember the residents he visits. This is a large over 250 bed facility. This man can remember most of the resident’s names that he has visited in his 1 on 1 program. He is versatile. Whatever they ask for, he can at least play one verse of it. If you want a band he can provide that too. He is the ultimate professional musician and a joy to work with. He’ll definitely give you your money’s worth. A jewel!!!”
-Celeste KT Brooks, RRT, Director of Therapeutic Activities, Stoddard Baptist Global Care, Inc
“Pablo has been a great resource. He has numerous contacts and knows all types of musicians from drummers to guitarists. All the musicians that I have booked through him are excellent, punctual and great at what they do – entertain.”
-Alyssa Caroselli, Activities Director, Sunrise Senior Living
Read additional testimonials from resident family members below:
