With her voice filling Newtown Congregational Church and her fingers drifting across piano keys, special guest and YouTube sensation Jodi DiPiazza performed “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” Saturday, May 16. She and others came together for a benefit concert, “Celebrating Movie Music,” to raise funds for Families United in Newtown (FUN), which resident Linda Jones established in 2008 to offer recreational programs and respite for families with special needs children like her late son Tyler, who was a non-verbal child with autism. One year after her son’s death the program blossomed, with help from Newtown High School.

Jodi is also a student with autism, and has performed with musicians such as Katy Perry. She is a student at the Mannes College of Music Preparatory Division, and studies piano, voice, music theory, and composition. She was accepted into the Mannes composition honors at age 10. She is a sixth grader, who lives in New Jersey.

Ms Jones, who wore bright yellow and a large smile throughout the evening, said after the concert, “It was a terrific night filled with love and talent. Jodi DiPiazza and her parents, Michelle and Tom, were so kind to bring their daughter to sing in our concert and they loved their visit to Newtown.”

With Jodi’s song from the 1939 movie Wizard Of Oz ended, the audience was soon enjoying more performances from movie and producer favorites. Newtown High School Chamber Choir members gathered and sang, a cappella, Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere,” from the 1979 West Side Story.

The next performance, “Let It Be,” came from student Lindsey Jones on violin and guitarist John Voket, who was also serving as the evening’s emcee and technical director. Mr Voket is also an associate editor for The Newtown Bee.

Performances continued, including a medley of songs from the 1965 film The Sound of Music, and music from Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein. The audience Saturday enjoyed a host of music from movies performed by Jodi and other musicians and participants.

Following the show, resident John “Jack” Bestor said, “Your benefit concert was outstanding,” and added the young entertainers “were exceptional,” and their “talent and love for music resonated through their being with every note.”  He said he experienced “the joy and enthusiasm of these young performers — some of whom have overcome challenging life circumstances — as they expressed their musical giftedness in performing their pieces.”

For Mr Bestor, who started working in public education in 1973, the same year that the law mandated free and appropriate public education to learning-handicapped students, he said the show “brought tears of joy and satisfaction to my eyes to see how far we as a society have come in developing such gifted entertainers.”

“Kudos to all,” he said, adding that he admires the “continued commitment and dedication in showcasing the wondrous talent of youngsters on the autism spectrum.” The effort was “beauteous and life-affirming to behold.”

Also following the show, Mr Voket called Ms DiPiazza “simply amazing.” He was especially pleased that the young performer was able to muster a true “show must go on” attitude, despite the fact that just hours before the show she had nearly lost her voice as a result of a “pesky” sinus infection.

“She was saddled with the added burden of having barely regained her voice. But when she couldn’t muster the range for a couple of the songs, she asked the audience to help, and the entire crowd joined in. It was truly one of those special moments in show business you’ll never forget,” Mr Voket said.

Mr Voket has produced and been a featured performer in the 2014 and 2015 FUN concerts. He said for just a nominal freewill donation, “There are few musical showcases in town that bring together such an inspiring array of performers and deliver such awe inspiring results.

“Having produced and performed in the last two FUN benefits, I have to say this is one of the most diverse and audience-pleasing concerts I have seen happening in town,” he said. “To see not only the immense talent of the students and mainstream performers, but the integration of participants who are on the Autism Spectrum makes this an immensely inspiring event.”

Also attending the concert were Jodi’s parents Michelle and Tom DiPiazza.

To Ms Jones, after the show, Ms DiPiazza said, “We cannot thank you enough for having us at your great event on Saturday night. It was so nice meeting you and your beautiful family.” Ms DiPiazza offered to bring Jodi to other events, saying that they “fell in love with Newtown. It’s beautiful, and the people are so friendly and welcoming.”

Ms Jones was “so proud,” she said, “of all the performers that devoted their time and talent to our third annual benefit concert.”

Donations received from FUN events, including the annual concert, support autism awareness programs and the costs of providing monthly FUN programs for families in Newtown and neighboring towns.

FUN is a community project that promotes community service for National Honor Society Students and other volunteers. The model of the program is to provide a safe place for the children to enjoy an activity while the parents can relax. Honor Society students watch the children and learn more about their life challenges. 

This is the fifth year of FUN programming and the third benefit concert. The next FUN meeting, and the last one of this school year, is Sunday, June 7, from 2 to 4 pm, at Dickinson Park, 50 Elm Drive (rain date is the following Sunday, June 14.) A DJ will be playing music as guests “Dance in the Park,” followed by the graduation for the National Honor’ Society seniors. The DiPiazza family has been invited back.

Guests are asked to bring a dish to share with the group at the potluck luncheon event, and to bring water balloons.

Learn more about FUN at facebook.com/familiesunitednewtown.