DianA's song
What is Diana’s Song
Diana’s Song is a scholarship fund for aspiring singers to have private vocal coaching with renowned Italian tenor, Aaron Caruso. Diana’s Song was established in memory of Diana Hawkins, who passed away October 14, 2020 of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). Daughters, Lisa Gray and Michelle Hawkins set up the scholarship in collaboration with Aaron in hope that he can continue to share his talent with the next generation.
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DianA’s song
My mom loved music and there were many days where it was the only way to reach her. Listening to music brought her such joy especially after our dad passed in July of 2018. Our mom met Aaron in the summer of 2019. A local paper had advertised a special performance by Aaron Caruso at a grand opening of a Senior Center in Rochester Hills. Since my Mom was looking for things to do and loved Italian music, we had her attend with her caregiver. As luck would have it, one of Lisa’s friends worked at the Senior Home and captured this picture of Aaron signing to my mom.
Afterwards, my mom raved about Aaron’s singing and what a great day she had. She talked about it for weeks and never forgot about it. When she started declining in the summer of 2020 and began home hospice care, we wanted to do something special for her. Lisa sent 2 emails, one to Andrea Bocelli and the other to Aaron telling them of our Mom’s love for Italian music and wondering if there was any way to bring the love of Italian music to her during her final months. Aaron responded and said because of the Pandemic he wasn’t performing anywhere but offered to come to her. On September 18th, we prepared her for a surprise visit. We prayed it would be one of mom’s ‘good’ days so that she could enjoy it just as much as she did the first time she heard Aaron sing at the senior center.
When the bell rang and Aaron came into the house our mom’s face immediately lit up. She definitely remembered him! Once Aaron started singing, it was as if his voice was filling her with energy, something we had not seen in months. It was magical, Aaron gifted her and us with one hour of pure happiness! The joy on her face and in her heart will be with us forever.
Aaron’s visit was a beautiful gift during an incredibly difficult time. It was amazing to witness how the power of music and Aaron’s singing brought my mom to a place that we hadn’t seen in months. The memory of the day continues to heal our hearts as we mourn the loss of our dear mom.
Once Aaron left, we reveled in blessings it had brought all of us. The house was deftly quiet. This time, our mom was speechless not because she couldn’t speak but because she didn’t have the words to express the incredible joy she felt after the hour with Aaron. The very next day, our mom was back to the typical LBD state and it further clarified the true blessings of the previous day.
Aaron came back as he promised, just four days before she passed, on October 14th. He spoke to her and said, Diana, this is my prayer for you and then sang a beautiful rendition of the Ave Maria. Despite our Mom’s condition, she reached out to him and let him know how special he was to do that for her.
We were honored to have Aaron sing at her funeral and on that very sad day, we couldn’t help but remember God’s blessing we experienced on September 18th.
To honor our mom and the joy that music brought to her during her battle with Lewy Body Dementia, we set up a scholarship fund that Aaron named “Diana’s Song.” The musical memorial scholarship is awarded to students of Aarons’ to provide financial assistance to further their vocal talent. Our hope is the next generation of singers can touch others as deeply as Aaron touched our mom’s heart.
When words fail, never underestimate the power and magical reach of beautiful music…and Aaron’s high C!
DIANA’s Song
Our mom loved music and there were many days where it was the only way to reach her. Listening to music brought her such joy especially after our dad passed in July of 2018. Our mom met Aaron in the summer of 2019. A local paper had advertised a special performance by Aaron Caruso at a grand opening of a Senior Center in Rochester Hills. Since my Mom was looking for things to do and loved Italian music, we had her attend with her caregiver. As luck would have it, one of Lisa’s friends worked at the Senior Home and captured this picture of Aaron signing to my mom.
Afterwards, our mom raved about Aaron’s singing and what a great day she had. She talked about it for weeks and never forgot about it. When she started declining in the summer of 2020 and began home hospice care, we wanted to do something special for her. Lisa sent 2 emails, one to Andrea Bocelli and the other to Aaron telling them of our Mom’s love for Italian music and wondering if there was any way to bring the love of Italian music to her during her final months. Aaron responded and said because of the Pandemic he wasn’t performing anywhere but offered to come to her. On September 18th, we prepared her for a surprise visit. We prayed it would be one of mom’s ‘good’ days so that she could enjoy it just as much as she did the first time she heard Aaron sing at the senior center.
When the bell rang and Aaron came into the house our mom’s face immediately lit up. She definitely remembered him! Once Aaron started singing, it was as if his voice was filling her with energy, something we had not seen in months. It was magical, Aaron gifted her and us with one hour of pure happiness! The joy on her face and in her heart will be with us forever.
Aaron’s visit was a beautiful gift during an incredibly difficult time. It was amazing to witness how the power of music and Aaron’s singing brought my mom to a place that we hadn’t seen in months. The memory of the day continues to heal our hearts as we mourn the loss of our dear mom.
Once Aaron left, we reveled in blessings it had brought all of us. The house was deftly quiet. This time, our mom was speechless not because she couldn’t speak but because she didn’t have the words to express the incredible joy she felt after the hour with Aaron. The very next day, our mom was back to the typical LBD state and it further clarified the true blessings of the previous day.
Aaron came back as he promised, just four days before she passed, on October 14th. He spoke to her and said, Diana, this is my prayer for you and then sang a beautiful rendition of the Ave Maria. Despite our Mom’s condition, she reached out to him and let him know how special he was to do that for her.
We were honored to have Aaron sing at her funeral and on that very sad day, we couldn’t help but remember God’s blessing we experienced on September 18th.
To honor our mom and the joy that music brought to her during her battle with Lewy Body Dementia, we set up a scholarship fund that Aaron named “Diana’s Song.” The musical memorial scholarship is awarded to students of Aarons’ to provide financial assistance to further their vocal talent. Our hope is the next generation of singers can touch others as deeply as Aaron touched our mom’s heart.
When words fail, never underestimate the power and magical reach of beautiful music…and Aaron’s high C!