Parklands People: Parklands is music to Moya’s ears
After a successful career as a music teacher in South Africa, Moya Boonzaaier traded the vibrant rhythms of her homeland for the peaceful surroundings of Aberlour.
Relocating to Scotland in 2014 with her family, Moya settled in Broxburn, West Lothian, where she continued sharing her passion for music through teaching, her involvement in the church, and at a local care home. “Moving to Scotland was a huge change in culture, climate and environment but we embraced the challenge,” said Moya.
In 2019, the family moved north to Moray. Inspired by a friend’s suggestion, Moya joined the team at Netherha in Buckie before transferring to Speyside in Aberlour in January 2021.
She initially started as a carer but soon branched out into domestic and laundry roles, ultimately becoming assistant activities coordinator. It was in this role that her passion for music truly shone, with her weekly music sessions quickly becoming a highlight of the residents’ social calendar.
Moya said: “I really enjoy having an opportunity to make a difference in our residents’ lives through my work at Parklands. The connections we make are precious to me. I find that through the medium of music you can communicate on a different level. Our music sessions are definitely a highlight of my work.”
In 2023, Moya’s musical vision came to life when a resident suggested forming a choir, leading to the creation of the Heart Strings Choir. After their debut concert in April 2023, featuring their own rendition of "Climb Every Mountain," the choir became an instant hit, touring neighbouring care homes and gaining recognition in local newspapers, videos, and podcasts.
Their biggest moment came when they recorded a special version of "Flower of Scotland" to inspire Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad in Germany, with the song featured on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland.
“The social connections we make through music are meaningful to all of us,” says Moya. “Emotions are stirred when hearing music that is familiar and it brings back memories of good - and sometimes sad times. In that sense it is therapy for the soul.”
A decade after moving to Scotland, Moya describes her work at Speyside as “life enriching.”
She says: “I love meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures and feel we can learn so much from each other. We missed having our family near, but friends soon became like family and we are very grateful for each of them. We love travelling and found that the north east of Scotland and especially the Moray area is a good place to call home.”
Moya certainly has many strings to her bow - she’s not only a talented musician, a dedicated carer, a passionate teacher, and the mastermind behind the Heart Strings Choir! You could say she’s hitting all the right notes at Parklands!
· If you’re inspired by Moya’s story, why not visit our website for the latest vacancies – parklandsgroup.com/careers
