My name is Matthew Makowski and I am currently the Director of the Clinton Township Senior Center in southeast Michigan. I am 55 years old and have a passion for anything musical. I was in my high school concert Choir where we traveled around the country singing to anyone that would listen. I also spend a lot of time playing the piano for my grandmother at the nursing home where she resided. She had Alzheimer's but loved my music, which made her happy. Upon graduating high school, I knew I wanted to work with seniors. I received my Bachelor's degree in Gerontology and made my life's passion working with seniors and incorporating my music wherever I worked. Both my wife and I play the piano and have since we were young children.
As a small boy, my mother started keyboard/organ lessons, and I would lay on the floor in amazement of her playing. When I was 7, I told her I wanted to play very badly. Unfortunately, the keyboard teacher told my parents, I couldn't start organ lessons until I could reach the keyboards and pedals. I would lay on the floor and play the pedals by ear and our family and friends would listen in amazement. A friend of the family, who did not have children, felt sorry for me and told my parents I had potential. They gifted me their 1912 Newby and Evans upright Player Piano. I took to the piano like wildfire playing for anyone that would listen to me. I went on to take lessons and eventually started playing for family weddings, family funerals and at the local nursing homes in the area. Excited about my time playing in the nursing home, I received my degree in Gerontology and spent my life working with Senior Citizens and incorporating music to enhance their days. The player only 1/2 works and as a child I would manually add the left hand and play along - hoping someday I would have it restored. That day never came as it was expensive and caring for my aging loved ones was always much more of a priorty. On April 30, 2025, I will be retiring with 28 years of being the Director of the Clinton Township Senior Center just north of Detroit, Michigan. My love of music has always been a lifetime passion. The ability to have the player piano working would be a lifetime dream come true. I would LOVE to have the piano refurbished in honor of Mike and Maryanne Kowalski that donated it to me. My late parents would be so proud if I was able to get the piano refinished and in working order and able to continue to play for the elderly. If you need any further information or more picture, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be sure to rush them over. The piano has a deep rich sound and all the keys are in great condition. Everything works with the exception of the player mechanism. I was told that it was built in the United States prior to WWI and it is a rare find.
