Vi Steinmeyer

“Recognize that you always have something to give. Life deals the cards, but it’s how you play them that matters. Giving is more important than receiving, and in the end, it’s the joy you bring to others that makes all the difference.”

Music has always been the rhythm of Vi Steinmeyer’s life, echoing through every stage and every place she’s called home. From a humble start in a small bakery in St. Louis to joining a church choir in São Paulo, Brazil, to today leading singalongs, at her core is a deep love of music.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Vi’s parents, hardworking and dedicated, made sure that each of their four children would experience the gift of music. The greatest treasure in their home was a baby grand piano, which was central to Vi’s musical journey.

“We didn’t have much, but we had music,” she recalls. “It was a family requirement. Each of us took at least two years of some sort of music lessons. For me, piano was my place.”

Her mother, a gifted pianist, and her father, with his beautiful voice, laid the foundation for Vi’s love of music.

When Vi and her husband married, she embarked on a life as a housewife and mother, supporting her husband’s “unusual” career with Monsanto that took them “hither and yon.”

She and her husband, Dan, raised three boys, creating a life full of adventure and challenges. No matter where they moved – California, New Jersey, or even São Paulo – there was always a piano. Whether it was singing in a church choir or playing Broadway hits in their living room, music was always there.

“I would miss it if I couldn’t just sit down and play,” she says, a sentiment that rings true even today. “Music is my way of unwinding, of connecting with myself and others.”

Now, at EverTrue Mason Pointe, Vi has found a new stage for her musical talents. Every Wednesday, she leads a singalong in the Care Center, accompanied by her friend Mary. Together, they bring joy to residents through beloved tunes from the past – songs like “A Bicycle Built for Two,” “Bill Bailey” and “Give My Regards to Broadway.”

“It’s so gratifying to bring pleasure to people, to see them smile and sing along,” she says. “These are the songs they grew up with, and I did, too! It’s incredible to watch them light up when they recognize a tune.”

Musical education also is important to her and she is proud of the music programs she and Dan have helped bring to the community, with more than 70 music events introduced to date.

Reflecting on her journey, Vi knows that life hasn’t always been easy, but it has been full of rich opportunities. “There are goods and bads in life,” she says, “but when you embrace the opportunities that come your way, you find blessings you never expected. I feel very blessed.”

Her advice to others is simple: “Recognize that you always have something to give. Life deals the cards, but it’s how you play them that matters. Giving is more important than receiving, and in the end, it’s the joy you bring to others that makes all the difference.”