My name is Sabeha Shaikot. I am a freshman at International Community School. I am here to honor my beloved grandmother. My grandmother lived a life filled with love, laughter, and music - but also with the constant struggle of asthma and severe allergies. Every breath was a battle, and simple joys like fresh air, pets, or even certain foods became challenges. A year after her passing, I want to honor her memory by turning our shared love of music into hope for others. Through this "Breath of Music" fundraiser, I’m combining my passion for piano with a mission to raise $1,000 for asthma and allergy research, education, and support. My goal is to help prevent others from enduring the same hardships she faced because no one should have to fight just to breathe. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to a future where allergies and asthma don’t steal moments, memories, or lives. Let’s make each note count.
Thank you for your support and for helping me honor her legacy.
Program Agenda:
A Breath of Music
Music Recital, Saturday May 3, 2025 6 PM at Faith Lutheran Church
Hosted by Sabeha Shaikot to Benefit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Sabeha Shaikot, piano: Remember Me from Coco 2017 - Words and Music by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Arranged by Jon Pumper
This song won best song in the 90th Academy Awards and resonates with listeners of all ages as it is about keeping memories alive and the loving bond between relatives.
Eden and Emily Price, piano duet: Married Life from Up 2009 by Michael Giacchino
This song won best Instrumental Song in the 52nd Grammys and is played throughout the film, depicting Carl and Ellie’s love and devotion to one another and the challenges they face in their life. This arrangement is by Charisa Chen.
Sabeer Shaikot, piano solo: You’ve Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story 1995 by Randy Newman
This catchy song was nominated for both Golden Globe Awards and Academy Awards for Best Original Song. It highlights the importance of Woody and Andy’s friendship in the film.
Momo Chitte Niti Nritte: This is a cherished Bangladesh song has been used in at least three films, and has become a cultural icon since it was written in 1910 by the renowned Nobel laureate Rabindreanath Tagore. It speaks to the rhythmic and poetic traditions of Bangladesh music.
Amber Debu, Voice, with Bonnie Debu, Piano: Edelweiss from The Sound of Music, 1965
Edelweiss is a symbol of threatened Austria in the film the Sound of Music and appears more than once in the film.
So This Is Love from Cinderella, 1948 by Hoffman/David/Livingstone
Cinderella has just fallen in love with the Prince and this is the ballroom scene where they express their newfound feelings.
Emily Price, piano solo: Morning from Pride and Prejudice, 2005 by Dario Marinelli
This theme is played through the film to enhance the mood of the morning scenes of this Regency Period Drama. In the original score is performed by Jean-Yves Thubaudet and the English Chamber Orchestra. It is even played by two of the characters in the film on the pianoforte, Georgiana Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin (1899) featured in the film The Sting, 1973
The Sting plot follows the shenanigans of some con artists in their gambling, grifting ways. It featured Ragtime played by the Boston Pops orchestra. It was a huge success and prominently featured Scott Joplin’s Music throughout, reviving interest in Ragtime music in general.
Sabeha Shaikot, piano solo: A Whole New World from Aladdin 1994/2019 by Alan Menken/ Tim Rice
This song won an Academy Award/Golden Globe/Grammy Awards for Best Original Song, and depicts Aladdin, a street urchin disguised as a prince courting the princess Jasmine. They fly on a magic carpet which is a symbol of the freedom that transcends their circumstances.
Yohaan Ardeni, piano solo: Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone 2001, composed by John Williams and arranged by Jarrod Radnich
Despite its name, this spooky theme is more about the whole film rather than just Hedwig, a character in the story. John Williams uses non harmonic tones to create an eerie atmosphere.
The Merry Go Round of Life from Howl’s Moving Castle 2004 by Joe Hisaishi, arrangement by Animenz /Yohaan Ardeni
This signature Instrumental piece uses a waltz meter and unusual harmonies to create a soothing texture that has been known to improve focus. Joe Hisaishi is renowned for a lifetime of work with Studio Ghibli.
Zoey Kasad, piano and Amber Debu, voice: Once upon a December from Anastasia, 1997 by Stephen Flaherty and the Lyricist is Lynn Ahrens.
This song was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. It is repeated in several forms in the film including as a lullaby. The character Anastasia is struggling with lost memories of her family, and consequently her identity.
Matthew Ng, piano solo: Oogway Ascends from Kung Fu Panda, 2008 by Hans Zimmer
The score to Kung Fu Panda is infused with traditional and Chinese influenced styles. Hans Zimmer traveled to China to study traditions and culture for a more informed contribution to the film. Oogway Ascends plays when the grandmaster Kung Fu artist named Oogway (a Tortoise) dies and bequeaths his legacy to Shifu.
Ballade in G minor by Frederic Chopin (featured in The Pianist 2002)
The piece predates film, of course, but its yearning themes and massive virtuosity made it ideal to symbolize the power of music to provide hope in the face of evil: the character Szpilman plays Chopin for an officer, who is moved at his plight and provides him with food and protection. Basically, the pianist in the film is playing for his life. He is shown playing Ballade 1 for Polish Radio at the start of the German invasion.
Shuyi Wu, piano and Luke and Amber Debu, voice: I see the Light from Tangled, 2010 (Menken/Slater)
Rapunzel and Flynn Rider have escaped Mother Goethel’s tower and are in a little boat waiting for the lantern lighting ceremony of which Rapunzel has always dreamed of seeing. The music represents their developing romance and symbolizes the freedom they now enjoy.
Alexander Toutanov, piano solo: Prelude from Le Tombeau du Couperin by Maurice Ravel
This piece is not written specifically for film: Ravel lived just at the edge of the birth of the film industry, but his very last compositions were intended for film! This Prelude begins a set of six pieces that synthesizes Ravel’s own mysterious style and his interpretation of the early French Baroque composer Couperin.
Be an AAFA Ally!
AAFA Allies host and support fundraisers that fuel our mission-critical programs. Your generous donations support:
Education programs and lifesaving resources on disease prevention, diagnosis, and management for people living with asthma and allergies and health professionals.
An online support community where people can find health education materials and talk directly to other people who know what it’s like to live with asthma and/or allergies.
Patient-centered research to improve health outcomes and address health disparities in communities that are greatly affected by allergic and respiratory conditions.
Advocacy for laws and policies that ensure access to high-quality, affordable, and evidence-based health care and treatments.
We couldn’t do this without the passion and support of our donors. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of people with asthma and allergies.
Supporters | |||
Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
Shariful Shaikot | 06/09/2025 | $412.37 | Hanying Feng | 05/10/2025 | $51.55 | Zoey Kasad | 05/03/2025 | $51.55 | Will also be matching this donation via company match | Bonnie Debu | 05/03/2025 | $103.09 | Sabeha, you just organized a wonderful concert! Amazing time, and great presentation. I will remember it forever. |
Total | $618.56 |