In the early hours of the morning, as Wyatt Cannon preps his fitness studio for the next cycle of classes at F45 Training in Glen Cove, the baby grand piano across the street beckons him.
During his late morning break, Cannon, studio manager at F45 Training at 95 School Street, walks over to the Regency at Glen Cove, settles onto the piano bench and plays for the residents. As a result, the lobby is filled with live music for about thirty minutes on a regular basis, adding warmth to the facility for both residents and staff.
Cannon, 24, of Locust Valley, started managing F45 Training in April, about a year after the studio opened. “When I start work, it’s still dark out and I can see the grand piano through the window of the Regency,” Cannon said. After he’s done cleaning up, he has about 30-40 minutes of free time before meetings. “I can either sit there, in the dark, and play on my phone, or come here and play the piano. It’s an easy decision.”
One day this spring he walked in and asked if he could play and has now made it part of his weekly routine.
“It’s evolved to coming once a week to play a couple of songs to coming multiple times a week and really utilizing his whole break to come and entertain the residents,” said Stella Shank, executive director of the Regency at Glen Cove. “It adds a certain calm and beauty to the lobby when you walk in, and just to see a young spirit wanting to give back to our residents makes us very happy.”
Cannon said he has a background as a drummer, though he taught himself piano as a college freshman and continues to hone those skills by learning new songs every week. He grew up in Rockville Centre, then moved to the area after taking the job.
“I really liked training [at F45] and took a management position when it became available,” Cannon said. “I love it, and I love this area.”
F45 Training offers group fitness classes that vary from strength days to cardio days, and include weight lifting, body weight movements and calisthenics. “Everything is functional, is meant to ease your daily living, and the training is good for people of all ages,” Cannon noted.
Cannon’s ability to connect with people of all ages is apparent in his reception at the Regency, where he will show those interested in his learning process.
“I think for someone who never took a lesson, he plays beautifully,” said Emily Gugliotta, a resident of The Regency at Glen Cove.
Shank noted that the piano often sits untouched. “Some residents have played piano throughout their lives and they’ll stop and play a song or two as they’re coming out of the dining room,” she said. “We have entertainment five or six times a month, but this baby grand has not been utilized as much as it has been since Wyatt has come into our lives.”
“I think it’s wonderful,” Regency resident Carol Wrotniak said. “He enjoys entertaining us, and it makes me happy to hear the music.”
