Jean Rances is a woman of many talents. She’s a writer, an artist, a teacher and a musician, but nothing means more to her than music.
“Music is in my genes,” said Rances, who lives in Cherry Hill. “My mama was a pianist, a singer, and a dancer. My papa taught the cello. It was such a huge part of the family.”
The lifelong performer grew up studying music under a German nun at the Saint Agnes Academy in Sacramento, Calif., where she was raised. Rances went on to study music in college and ultimately received a doctorate in education. She now teaches writing and composition at the University of Pennsylvania.
For the past several years, Rances has also worked at the Spring Hills assisted living community in Cherry Hill, sharing her gift and love of music with the staff, residents and their guests. She began by playing classical music and other songs to entertain them, but over time, her ministry took a new form.
“The residents started asking me to play music that they could participate with and sing along to,” Rances said. “I’m passionate about education as well, for young people and older people as well. So I started to have them sing with me.”
Soon, Rances became the music director at Spring Hills, and her sing-alongs have now turned into a chorus of nearly 20 residents. The group rehearses twice a week and had their first concert a few months ago. They enjoy singing classics like “That’s Amore” and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” but Rances has also exposed them to other genres and cultures as well, including jazz music and traditional Jewish and Asian tunes.
For Rances, music is more than just a skill. “Music, for me, is a bridge to God. To experience music is to experience him. And that can be very healing,” she said.
Outside of work, Rances also enjoys lectoring at her home parish, The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light in Cherry Hill.
“God gave me many gifts, and I just want to share them with people, to help others and make them happy. I feel so blessed to be able to give what I have to others,” she said.
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