Every month a little bit of magic comes to George Mark Children’s House. Patients and families gather in the Playroom in anticipation of meeting a special visitor straight from a favorite fairytale — complete with a bejeweled crown, long flowing hair, and sparkly gown.
Singer Jordyn Foley visits George Mark dressed as the princess our in-house patients request that month. Beloved princesses Elsa, Ariel, Snow White, Rapunzel, Tinkerbell, and Glinda have all graced the halls at George Mark – and each one has brought visible joy and beaming smiles to our patients. At each visit the princess reads storybooks, sings songs, performs magic, and poses for photos with our children. These visits enhance quality of life for our patients and create lasting memories for their families.
“Every time Jordyn visits the House she creates magic,” said Child Life Coordinator Kyle Amsler. “I love watching our patients delight in meeting their favorite Disney princesses. Their faces light up when they hear Jordyn sing their favorite Disney songs.”
More than a feeling: the power of music
Princesses have been visiting George Mark since 2023, thanks to our partnership with the nonprofit organization Harmony & Healing. Harmony & Healing artists deliver free professional live musical performances via Zoom or in-person for patients and their loved ones, wherever they may be in the world. Harmony & Healing was founded by former Boston guitarist and co-lead vocalist David Victor.
“There’s nothing like being in the room with a patient and having that moment with them,” said David. “I think music is the closest thing to magic that humans have come up with. I remember having a moment walking out into the parking lot of George Mark after a visit and thinking, wow, this is what music is for,” he recalls.
“I love watching our patients delight in meeting their favorite Disney princesses. Their faces light up when they hear Jordyn sing.”
– Kyle Amsler, GMCH Child Life Specialist
Singing, creating, and dancing — and a sprinkle of pixie dust
During a visit as Snow White, Jordyn sang with patients and created art pieces with the help of a Pixar animator. Princess Elsa danced with patients and created magic snow, Glinda made her wand hang in midair, and Tinkerbell sprinkled pixie dust. Jordyn also visits the bedsides of children in our family suites who are at the end of their lives. This allows a special moment of happiness for the child and siblings — and a brief escape from the heartbreaking reality for parents.
In Jordyn’s words: “The staff and volunteers are absolute angels, and every patient I’ve met has left a mark on my heart. Music is such a powerful way to connect, and seeing it light people up is pure joy. I may live in LA now, but I’ll always make the trip for George Mark — they mean the world to me!”
In addition to her volunteer work with Harmony and Healing, Jordyn is also a volunteer performer with the Peter Pan and Make-A-Wish Foundations. Jordyn is a recent graduate from the California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita.
We are grateful to Harmony & Healing and to Jordyn for sharing her talent and for bringing wonder and enchantment to our patients and their families.
