By KATHARINE FRIEDMAN
Correspondent
Schools usually have fundraisers, plays or back-to-school nights to get parents invested in their child’s education, but the Antinanco Earth Arts School in Holmdel, which seeks to educate children and their parents beyond the classroom, went one step further.
The school held its annual benefit party at the Keyport Yacht Club on Feb. 11, where well-known speakers talked about eco-literacy, resolving conflict within families, vaccinations and conscious parenting. The successful event also featured auctions and vendors selling organic bathing material and handmade jewelry.
Olga Sher, who organized the event, said while she wanted to keep the event modest, once the community got wind of the benefit an overwhelming amount of donations for the auctions and vendors came in. She was very touched by how much the school means to the community.
“We are all about fun, we want parents to come with the kids; enjoy everything we offer,” she said.
The fundraiser also showcased the beautiful music of a talented young artist — 14-year-old piano player Hayden Marcizewski.
Inspired by composers Mozart and Chopin and contemporary artist Josh Groban, Hayden has been playing piano since the age of 5 and writing his own compositions since 2011. He has already accomplished more than most others his age. He has won gold, silver and bronze medals since his first audition and participated in several competitions, most notably the Golden Key Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City, winning silver in 2015 and gold in 2016.
His next stop will be Vienna in August, performing his first-place composition he wrote, “Inconsolable,” one of the many pieces he performed at the benefit. Hayden admits he still gets nervous and is not used to the spotlight, but says he has come a long way.
“I remember being so scared when I was 5 when I started performing, but you get used to it,” he said.
His dream is to reintroduce classical music to his generation while mixing it with different genres, and he would one day love to work alongside Josh Groban.
For more information on Hayden, visit haydenmarciszewski.com.
For more information on Antinanco Earth Arts School, visit www.antinanco.org.
