Harmonies for Healing: Students Use Jazz to Fight Parkinson’s
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Danielle Vitali
Mystique Box Acorns
Glen Ridge Residents’ Acorns Project Grows Hope from a Dream
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aniela Vitali, of Glen Ridge, launched The Acorns Project in January 2025 to share a message of hope and resilience through beautifully designed, symbolic gifts. Inspired by a dream during a time of financial hardship, Daniela discovered the acorn’s meaning—hope, new beginnings, and growth—and turned that into a movement. The Acorns Project currently features three thoughtfully crafted products—the Mystique Box, a hand-painted real acorn in a wooden box engraved with an inspirational message; a paint kit for ages six and up; and mini gift boxes to pair with the painted acorns. Each item is designed to be a tactile, visual reminder to never stop believing in yourself. Daniela hand-paints every acorn and curates each piece with the care and experience of a seasoned designer. Sold online, her products aim to uplift, inspire, and connect. Learn more at theacornsproject.com.
Livingston’s Comedy Duo with a Cultural Twist
group of student musicians from Newark Academy has formed Harmonies for Healing, a jazz band raising money and awareness for Parkinson’s disease. The band plays at local restaurants, bars, and senior care facilities—donating their earnings to the Parkinson’s Foundation through a dedicated fundraising page. Founded by Arjun Kapur from Livingston and Noah Tamiso from Madison, the group has grown to include about 15 members from Newark Academy and other nearby schools. Their performances not only support a meaningful cause— Arjun’s grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s—but also provide therapeutic benefits to elderly audiences. They rotate band members depending on the performance, and their gigs include venues like Halcyon in Montclair and multiple Sunrise Senior Living locations. Their goal is to raise $5,000, with more events planned, including an awareness fundraiser at school. To donate or get involved, contact harmoniesforhealingnj@ gmail.com or visit: https://bit.ly/42qt2ht
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rody Levine, a junior at Livingston High School with a passion for comedy, teamed up with his classmate Jack Klein for a unique performance at Livingston Chinese Culture Day. Having always wanted to try comedy, Brody saw the event as the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills. He and Jack created a hybrid comedy act, blending Chinese and English, inspired by their classroom lessons with teacher Xin Cai. Their performance, which included jokes about language struggles and cultural misunderstandings, earned laughs from a diverse audience. Jack, who has been studying Chinese since seventh grade, was excited to join Brody in this cultural exchange. While comedy is a hobby for both, Brody’s love for performing, honed through years of school musicals, shined through in his act. The duo’s successful performance has sparked Brody’s desire to continue comedy as a side gig, where he has already performed twice more. Follow @brodylevinecomedy on Instagram.
Jazz band Harmonies for Healing ata recent gig at Halcyon restaurant in Montclair. Left-right: Nicholas Thorpe (Senior, West Orange), Arjun Kapur (Junior, Livingston), Matthew Lee (Junior, Edison), and Noah Tamiso (Sophomore, Madison).
If you or someone you know in Essex/Morris County is doing something interesting, send an email to Jackie.subessex@gmail.com May 2025 | SuburbanEssex.com | 11