Farmingdale High School hosted a fundraiser concert on Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. to support Michelle Lindsley, director of mixed chorus and vocal jazz at the school. Lindsley has been battling a form of cancer known as Multiple Myeloma for over a year, and all the proceeds from the concert will be going to help offset the cost of her ongoing medical expenses.
The acts included Say it Say it, The Janes, Marissa Ann and Alessandra Guerico from “The Voice,” “American Idol” alumni Caleb Hawley and Robbie Rosen, and high school alumni
performances, among others.
Rosen, 21, from Merrick, was coached by Lindsley before, during and after “American Idol.” He was happy to perform and raise money to help his vocal coach and friend.
“Ms. Lindsley was and is an inspiration to so many people, and she has given us so much. I want to repay her for all she has given me by performing,” said Rosen.
Rosen’s parents also came to show their support for their son’s vocal coach who also became their friend.
”She is an amazing and supportive person. If you came to the show, you were able to see the love from her all of her students and friends,” said Matt Rosen, Robbie’s father. “She is not only a teacher, but she is also a friend to all of her student and everyone she helped.”
Christine Benedetti, former student and music teacher at Lenox Elementary School in Baldwin, was proud to perform with her music group of teachers called Satellite Lane.
“Ms. Lindsley was my music teacher since I was nine, and she inspired me to become one,” said Benedetti. “She always supported me, she came to my wedding and she is like my second mom.”
Sam Gelfer, orchestra teacher at Farmingdale School District, showed up to the performance to support his friend and coworker.
“Michelle has supported me so much. She was on the interview panel when I was being hired, and she said she really wanted me to teach,” said Gelfer. “She was my mentor and she was the mom of the music department when she was here.”
Everyone who knew Michelle Lindsley came together to show their support, and Dr. William Sperduto said: “It’s an expression of the love for Michelle. I think we all feel a bit powerless in the sense of not being able to do very much. This is our way of saying that we care about her a lot and that we wish she gets well.”
So many alumni showed up to the fundraiser concert that it also became a reunion for former students.
“I used to be a part of her choruses, and she inspired all of her students in some way,” said Natalia Metzger, a 2004 graduate. “She made a difference in my life, and all of her current and previous students truly care about her.”
Jeannie Marve, a 1999 graduate, came to the fundraiser with her former chorus classmate Sarah Langon and her friend Billie.
“We are very happy to support Ms. Lindsley. She has given her students so much. She helped us with lessons in life, and we want to support her in any way that we can,” said Marve.
Overall the fundraiser concert was a success and hundreds of supporters showed up.
Claire Zatorski, the women’s choir teacher at the high school, was delighted about the amount of performers and supporters who came out. She said, “the response was just amazing, and this is a testament to what a great teacher she was. I’ve known her for about 20 years and she is such a caring and hard-working individual. Love filled the theater.”
