AIS Students Bring Awareness | Parkinson’s Benefit Concert

The Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) project is an essential component for all Diploma Programme (DP) students to complete. This project is a hands-on learning experience for DP students to give back to a community of their choice.

Two students, Naomi (Nigerian) and Emma (Dutch), are taking on the hefty task of organising and arranging a benefit concert here at AIS in February. The entire project has been student-led from the initiation of the idea to the implementation of it on stage. 

“We’ve been really into music since we were young and always wanted to have our own concert. We also wanted to spread awareness about Parkinson’s disease. We thought it would be nice to combine these ideas into something we both enjoy,” Emma said. 

Their plan for this concert is to raise money for Demoucelle Parkinson’s Charity. This charity’s goal is to fund Parkinson’s research in hopes of finding a cure. 

Emma also has a personal connection to Parkinson’s that drives her desire to spread awareness. “My grandma was diagnosed with it a few years ago, and I’ve noticed how it’s taking a toll on her daily activities. It’s just really sad to see. Knowing that there is no cure for it yet really motivated us to help people with this disease.” 

The concert will feature a variety of performances by current AIS students. “It will kind of be like Arts Café, but instead of people paying to enter, it will be people coming to watch and donate based on their hearts and seeing people perform for the cause. Everything is based on donations,” Naomi said. 

Since the concert is held close to Valentine’s Day, the music and themes are all surrounding ideas of love and happiness. “We want people to leave feeling satisfied,” Emma said. 

During the concert, there will be a short presentation to inform the audience about Parkinson’s and why this cause is a worthy one to donate to. Snacks and drinks will also be for sale before and after the concert with all proceeds going to charity. 

Naomi spoke about what they hope to achieve through this concert. “Our goal is to raise about 1,000 euros. We want it to be a great success. Even if you donate five euros, it will help a lot.” 

For those who cannot attend the concert, you can still donate directly to Naomi and Emma or through their GoFundMe. 

The benefit concert will be held at AIS on 13 February at 18:30.