Musical Memories & BY2S Celebrate Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.
Our May 2nd recital at the Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab used music to beautifully celebrate both Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.
Pom Lim
5/15/20262 min read
On May 2, 2026, the Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab hosted an afternoon where music and memory intertwined. With a dual theme of Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, our recital served as a beautiful bridge between honoring those who raised us and remembering those who served.
Student Leadership and Heartfelt Tributes
The afternoon was expertly hosted by Noah Lim and Acelynn Saisuphaluck, whose leadership helped guide us through a program filled with meaning.
The spirit of the day was perfectly captured by our guests, Rena Feller (Clarinet) and Diane Cohen (Violin). Their performance was a journey through four musical eras, but the emotional centerpiece was "Meyn Ziskind" (My Sweet Child). This moving Jewish piece was composed by Rena’s husband, Stanley Friedman, specifically for his own mother—a fitting tribute for our early Mother's Day celebration.
In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day, our students and faculty filled the air with patriotic pride. From "The Star-Spangled Banner" to "God Bless America," the music echoed our gratitude for the community and those we remember this month.
The Musical Program
Generational Talents
The afternoon featured a wonderful variety of student performances, including a special mother-daughter connection between teacher Maeve Brophy and her daughter, Olivia.
From the Studio of Maeve Brophy:
Olivia Brophy opened the program with "Hero" and "What a Wonderful World." She was followed by Summer Williams, Simon Taylor, and Dannity Williams, who brought classics by Bach and Attwood to life, while Kaiden Shugars delighted the audience with playful contemporary pieces.
From the Studio of Dr. Ana Trujillo:
LaVaire Lockhart, Jr. shared Suzuki favorites and a lively duet, "The Orange Flute," with Dr. Trujillo.
Student Performance:
Acelynn Saisuphaluck delivered a technically brilliant performance of the Handel/Halvorsen "Passacaglia."
Patriotic Honors
To honor our veterans and the Memorial Day season, we closed with a series of American favorites led by our Music Director:
Anissa Wong, Brayden Lester, and Acelynn Saisuphaluck: The Star-Spangled Banner
Noah Lim and Music Director Maria DeBacco: God Bless America, You're A Grand Old Flag, and Yankee Doodle Dandy
Guest Artists: A Journey Through Time
Rena Feller and Diane Cohen showcased incredible versatility, taking the audience through a curated "Musical Time Travel":
Baroque: J.S. Bach, Bourrée II
Classical: W.A. Mozart, Andante con variazioni & L.V. Beethoven, Duo & Rondo
Living Tradition: Stanley Friedman, Meyn Ziskind
Modern: Darius Milhaud, Vif
Gratitude to Our Community
This event was a true team effort. To celebrate the residents, the BY2S program delivered handmade flower bookmarks and jars of stars representing hopes and dreams as special Mother's Day gifts. We want to extend our deepest thanks to the teachers, hosts, and guests who make this mission possible:
BY2S: www.by2s.global
Maeve Brophy: www.maevebrophy.com
Dr. Ana Trujillo: www.anamariaviolin.com
Music Director Maria DeBacco: www. mariamemphispianostudio.com
Rena Feller & Stanley Friedman: www.fellerfriedman.com
Thank you to the Memphis Jewish Home and Rehab for your warm hospitality, and to all our performers and hosts for sharing your hearts with the residents.
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