Hillsdale man hosts concerts for people with special needs

TEANECK, N.J. (AP) - Inside Debonair Music Hall, spectators gathered to listen to music and beat the sweltering sun on a summer day in July.

For John Zimmerman of Bogota, he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see a concert being put on by his friend, Peter Kozak, even if Zimmerman is bound to a wheelchair. It was just Zimmerman’s third time outside his home in two years as he has osteogenesis imperfecta, known as brittle bone disease.

Kozak, a Hillsdale native, founded Especially Everyone which hosts concerts for people with special needs. But the concert is not just limited toward catering to show-goers with special needs as performance members also have special needs.

“It’s nice to get a name that depicts what you’re going for,” said Kozak about bringing together his two loves - music and special needs. He wanted to incorporate people with special needs in performances so they can display their capabilities which others may overlook. Kozak, who works as a behavioral therapist, said, “It’s the biggest high for me.”

The Especially Everyone concert experience is designed with select songs that listeners may know and can sing along with. The performance Sunday afternoon was the third event put on since October.

Kozak stumbled into the musical world when he was asked to be a singer in a band while in the eighth grade. Years later, he volunteered at a special needs after-school program.

“It was very comfortable for me,” Kozak said about the experience. “I was able to make connections with people.”

He later worked at a Jewish community center, where he met Zimmerman. The experience at the center helped shape Kozak’s career towards helping others.

“I’m glad he does it,” said Zimmerman, who was accompanied by his parents to the concert. “It makes us feel like we’re part of the group. We feel included.”

Kevin Hanzus, a Pearl River native, helps put on the performances with Kozak. His introduction to special needs came in elementary school. When Hanzus, who Kozak knew through other musicians when they played in Nyack, New York, was asked to join Especially Everyone, there was little reason to turn down the opportunity.

“I see this as part of a movement,” said Hanzus, who goes by “Great Hanzini” when he performs. “You see special needs people more. If anyone gets to our show, you’ll find that music is a great uniter.”

Kozak plans to continue incorporating his love of music and help those with special needs. Fans hope Kozak continues as well. Especially Everyone will be playing in the Inclusion Festival in August at the Mountain Sky Festival Grounds in Jermyn, Pennsylvania.

“I loved it,” Zimmerman said about the performance. “I hope to come the next time he puts on a show.”

Online: https://njersy.co/32DsWn2

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Information from: The Record (Woodland Park, N.J.), http://www.northjersey.com