Monthly Archives: March 2016
Barak, Roslyn
American Reform cantor and opera singer. Born in New York City. Attended Manhattan High School of Music & Art. B.A. in vocal performance, Manhattan School of Music. Master of Sacred Music, 1986, Hebrew Union College. Also attended SF School of Psychology. Made Carnegie Hall debut with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of New York. 1974-77, Israel National Opera. 1987 began as Cantor of the Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco. Won Liederkranz Award and the Minna Kaufman Ruud Foundation prize. CD: “The Jewish Soul”.
http://www.emanuelsf.org/about_staff_barak.htm
Avni, Fran
Canadian. Singer, Songwriter. Successful career in Israel with Susan Cogan, creating great Israeli standards. Children’s songwriter. Successful career for over 20 years writing Jewish religious songs for children, including holiday songs and songs about Jewish life today.
http://www.franavni.com/
Aroeste, Sarah

American born singer. Aroeste’s family roots are Greece and Macedonia– her family came from Salonika, Greece before going to the US. Sarah trained in classical opera at Westminster Choir College and Yale University. She later studied with Nico Castel in Tel Aviv and in the US. Aroeste sings primarily in Ladino, in a musical genre originating from Spain. The Aroeste’s sound combines and updates aspects from her ‘unique family background with influx of Latin-based music in America over the past few years.’ To date, Sarah Aroeste has released four recordings, A la Una: In the Beginning (2003), Puertas (2007), Gracia (2012) and most recently, Ora de Despertar (2016),
http://www.saraharoeste.com
Arbel, Chaya
Born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1921. Composer. Studied later in life with Leon Schidlowsky. Lives in Israel on Kibbutz Hamapil.
Works published by Israeli Music Center
Amit-Kalev, Lotti
Born 1934. nee Lotti Kalev. Pianist and composer living in Israel. Piano and harmony teacher. Graduated from the Rubin Music Academy in Tel Aviv in 1957. Music program editor in the 1950s at IDF radio station ‘Galey Tzahal’ in Tel Aviv. Compositions are listed at the Israeli Music Center: http://www.geocities.com/israelcomposers/works/amit.htm
http://www.geocities.com/israelcomposers/amit_kalev.htm
Amato-Salerno, Angela
Violin Soloist, Chamber Musician and Leader of Professional Orchestras in Italy and UK, Ms. Amato is now dedicating much of her Research into Jewish Music Study, with major interest in the arrangements of traditional Italian and Askenazy Music. She performed in major National and International Festivals. Purcell Room debut 1994; Teatro Francesco Cilea debut 1996; Teatro Bellini debut 1989. Winner of National and International Music Awards. Recorded for Radio France, Radio Swisse Romande, BBC and Rai radio and TV. CD recordings include 28° and 29° Tibor Varga Festival, Sion, Switzerland. Plays a French violin 1780 Paris School. Contact:aulos@paipai.net
http://www.supportimusicali.it/musicisti/scheda.asp?n=Angela%20Amato
Alotin, Yardena
Born, October 19, 1930 in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Composer, pianist and teacher. Studied at Tel-Aviv Music Teachers Seminary and at Israeli Academy of Music. Brief online biography available through the Israel Music Institute
http://www.aquanet.co.il/vip/imi/bios/alotin.htm
Allard, Ellen
American. Jewish educator and songwriter, specializing in music for young children. Graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. She earned her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Arcadia University. “Ellen began her formal piano studies at the age of five, studied flute through elementary and high school, and learned to play acoustic guitar while a student in college. After graduating with a degree in music education, she taught elementary vocal music, grades K – 6. Pursuing further graduate studies under the tutelage of renowned Orff teacher Joseph Wuytack, she brought a strong Orff component into her music teaching. The Orff method continues to be a significant influence on Ellen’s teaching, performing, and songwriting.” Together with husband Peter Allard, Ellen put together the Bring The Sabbath Home song book
http://www.peterandellen.com/… CONTINUE READING >
Alberstein, Chava

Chava Alberstein: First Lady of Israeli Song
Website for Israeli musical superstar Chava Alberstein with brief biography, photos and discography.
http://www.aviv2.com/chava/
Achishena, Tziona

American-born Israeli. Tziona Achishena provided this autobiographical sketch: “Tziona’s Achishena’s rich and soulful voice weaves its way through her new disc, “Miriam’s Drum”, created in collaboration with percussionist Shani Ben Canar. The album features original melodies to ancient Hebrew prayers “received” through her intuitive musicianship, and enlivened by world class percussion, transcendent harmonies, and inspired vocal improvisation. The album’s release marks the culmination of years of musical and spiritual searching. Interestingly, this process began, not through music training, but through dance. From early childhood to her first years in college at Berkeley, Tziona spent much of her time in the dance studio, studying all the major western dance forms from Ballet to Modern dance. At home, however, she was singing; and experiencing through her voice the beginnings of a sense of the revelation of soul.… CONTINUE READING >
Abrams, Harriett

English. Composer and soprano. Born,(ca) 1758. Died, 1822. Studied with Thomas Arne. Stage debut in October, 1775 in May Day as little gypsy. She appeared in London concerts, provincial festivals, and a series of Handel Commemoration concerts in 1784. Charles Burney praised “the sweetness and taste of her singing.” Composed vocal works. She also wrote two- and three-part songs. Occasionally her sisters sang with her. Haydn presided at the piano for her benefit concerts held in 1792, 1794 and 1795. She organized the Ladies Concerts, held in the private houses of their aristocratic lady directors, in the early 1790s. More information is available in the Norton/Grove’s Dictionary of Women Composers.
Paulina Achkinaz-Shepherd
see: POLINA SHEPHERD
Abrams, Bonnie
Bonnie Abrams and Allen Hopkins perform acoustic folk music. Bonnie writes and sings new songs. A CD called A Sudenyu of Yiddish offers traditional and contemporary folk and theater songs in Yiddish.