submitted by Katie Martinez, PWSA | USA’s Fundraising Coach and mom to Samuel (living with PWS)
On November 21, 2025, friends, family, and supporters gathered at the Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, Pennsylvania for an unforgettable evening: A Bow for Áine Mirella – Performance for PWS. The concert was a beautiful celebration of music, community, and love – all in support of the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA).
This event welcomed not only friends and relatives but also other families in the region with children and adults living with PWS, united by a shared purpose: raising awareness and support for individuals and families living with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The name of the evening carried a special significance – inspired by Áine’s adorable collection of bows, but also a nod to the performers taking a graceful bow after each heartfelt piece.
The night featured an elegant musical program performed by Irene Moretto (“Mamma” of Áine) and Kaitlyn Waterson, who shared selections for piano and voice that touched on the beauty and wonder of infancy, childhood, and motherhood. The repertoire included works such as Robert Schumann’s Scenes from Childhood and vocal pieces by composers like Francis Poulenc, Eric Whitacre, and Amy Beach – each piece thoughtfully chosen to reflect joy, reflection, and hope.
Following the concert, guests were invited to a Prader-Willi Syndrome-friendly reception – a warm time to connect, reflect on the music, and celebrate Áine Mirella and the wider PWS community. It was an uplifting reminder that, together, we can create spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued.
It was a really incredible experience Irene put together for Áine. She worked diligently to ensure that the night would be a wonderful concert but also a safe space for those with PWS and their families.
A Bow for Áine Mirella wasn’t just a concert – it was an evening full of purpose. Funds raised support PWSA | USA’s mission to expand awareness, strengthen community resources, and drive research toward better understanding and treating PWS. Everyone’s presence helped amplify the voices of families touched by this rare condition and moved us one step closer to meaningful progress.
Music, laughter, and connection filled the room, but the heart of the evening was the shared hope for a brighter future. Whether through the timeless language of music or through the simple act of gathering in support of one another, this special night will be remembered as a testament to what we can achieve when we come together for a cause greater than ourselves.
Thank you to everyone who joined, donated, performed, and supported – your compassion and generosity make all the difference.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.