A voice that once filled opera stages from New York to Cuba still has the power to bring smiles, spark memories and connect generations.
On Wednesday, July 23, Concord Place Memory Care will celebrate the extraordinary life of 99-year-old Marilyn Shotz Hahn, whose lifelong love of music continues to inspire everyone around her. The celebration begins at 11 a.m. at Concord Place, 901 Concord Road in Knoxville, and will honor not only her remarkable career but also the lasting impact she has had on family, friends and students through the years.
Hahn, now a resident at Concord Place, an Anthem Memory Care community, lives with memory loss. Although she has lost her sight and is hard of hearing, music remains a constant thread connecting her to her family, her memories and the people who care for her each day. It’s a reminder that while so much may change with age, the power of music often endures.
The celebration will also include a special moment — the recent discovery of a recording of Hahn’s voice when she was just 22 years old. Hearing that young soprano once again promises to be a meaningful experience for both her family and those who have come to know her at Concord Place.
Long before moving to memory care, Hahn built a remarkable life around music. She trained with the New England Conservatory of Music Opera Company and performed in Boston, New York, New Jersey, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and aboard cruise ships traveling to Havana, Cuba. She also sang with the City Center Opera Company in New York, where she understudied the legendary Beverly Sills.
Her passion didn’t stop on the stage. Hahn spent decades as a vocal coach in Northern Virginia, helping countless students develop their voices and confidence. Many of those former students still stay in touch, a testament to the lasting influence she had as both a teacher and mentor.
Music continues to run through the family today. Her 15-year-old great-granddaughter, Jeanna Weckstein, has performed onstage since childhood and still seeks vocal guidance from her “Mema” during family visits. Jeanna especially treasures hearing stories about Hahn’s professional singing career and learning how those performances helped support the family during the Great Depression.
Marilyn Hahn’s musical legacy continues as she coaches her great-granddaughter Jeanna Weckstein, during family visits
“This celebration is about honoring Marilyn as an artist, teacher, grandmother and woman whose song still touches others,” said Lorie Ann Wilson, life engagement director for Concord Place. “Her story shows that dignity, joy and purpose can shine brightly at every stage of life.”
It’s a celebration of a remarkable career, but even more, it’s a celebration of the enduring power of music — a gift that continues to echo through Marilyn Hahn’s life and through the generations she has inspired.
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