Pascale has been driven by music since her early childhood when her grandfather bought her her first piano (he also took the family picture on the home page of this site).

She never became a professional musician but rather a chemical engineer, yet after many years working in the pharmaceutical industry, music caught back up with her. Years later, Pascale picked up the piano again and discovered jazz – its musical freedom convinced her of her passion. Her dream to play with her family finally played out.

A personal experience lies at the heart of the Happiness Factory project. Papi Jean, Pascale’s grandfather, spent his last few years on Earth in an assisted living residence which attracted sadness and silence. So did many of her other grandparents. Pascale dreamt of putting music in the residence’s hallways, convinced it would ease the elderly’s suffering; who hasn’t listened to music to turn their mood around and be taken out of oneself for a moment? 

Pascale’s love for music is preceded by the need to share it with others. She strongly believes music is the language of the soul and allows for deeper intrapersonal connections and unity. Playing with her husband and children gave a clear pathway to her practice of music: “to reveal the blessed beauty”, to quote her jazz piano teacher Frank Ponzio, who teaches at the School of Practical Philosophy. It fueled her mission to extend the project to any children, allowing them to share their emotions, open their hearts and live a unique experience in the present moment. The project is rooted in the idea that music should be accessible to all not matter the experience or skills.