Graduates and ensembles that grew up in the center for music from the east
Yitzhak Ventura
Graduate of the Center for Mid east Music
and teacher of Arabic, Turkish and Persian Ney as well as Persian Setar. Extraordinarily talented artist, part of the Andalusian and East - West Orchestra. He recently recorded his first, unique solo album.
Elad Gabbay
Graduate of the Center for Mid-East Music
and teaching Maqam and Ensembles at the center.
Student of Abraham Salman and Gokcell Backtagir,
Oud and Qanun player, whose album “Play the Oud” has won acclaim.
He has performed in numerous prestigious music festivals,
And serves as the Artistic Coordinator of the “Hiba” orchestra
Mayo Shabiro
Graduate of the Center for Mid-East Music.
Cello player who started her musical journey playing European classical music and from there migrated to the music of the Middle East. Student of Elad Gabbay, who explores the traditions of Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Records with prestigious artists locally and internationally.
Yair Kochav
Graduate of the Center for Mid-East Music.
Musician, Cultural Activist and Cantor.
Founder of the Jerusalem cultural institution, “Tahrir”
which gives a platform for intercultural musical projects highlighting the Arab musical tradition of Jews from Islamic countries which has been marginalized in Israeli society.
Gilad Hazan
Graduate of the Center for Mid-East Music.
Teacher of violin and oud at the center.
Artist and composer who collaborates with many renowned local and international artists.
His unique solo album highlights music from an array of Middle Eastern traditions.
Lili Ann Betzalel
Graduate of the Center for Mid-East Music.
Founder of the music school “Al-Sheik”,
Ney and flute player.
Plays original music combining Jaz and various Mid- East musical traditions.
Yaara Be’eri
Graduate of the Center for Mid-East Music.
Student of Ariel Ragimov and Deria Turkan, plays and composes in the Turkish and Azarbeijani traditions.
Nathaniel Musai Cohen
Graduate of the Center for Mid-East Music.
Santoor player and Doctor of Musicology.
Researcher of Persian Classical music. Student of Keyhan Ne’eman and Dr. Avi Shoshani, an expert in the liturgical tradition of the Jews of Persia.
Yeal Lavi
Graduate of the Center for Mid-East Music.
Qanun player and DJ, who broadcasted on the radio in Istanbul.
Was part of the Palestinian band “Qarar”, and the Andalusian Orchestra.
Plays with international Ensembles in Europe and Morocco as well as her own trio the “Leviot”.
Joana Ritmuler
Graduate of the Center for Mid-East Music.
Extraordinary violinist, student of Ehab Nimer.
Plays in many renowned local and international bands and ensembles.
Musical Ensembles Created by Graduates of the Center
Yearot Ensemble
Balkan-Hebrew Folklore Ensemble
Lycavettos - Λυκαβηττός
Traditional Greek music from Asia Minor, Antolia and the Greek Islands
Mansura
Classical Music from the Arab Tradition
Arkadaş
Roma and folklore music from Turkey
Tolu
Classic and original Persian Music
Saz Trio
Instumental Saz music from Turkey, Armenia, Kurdistan and Macedonia
Wallak
Combining Eastern and Western music
Kabatash
Lively music from Turkey and the Balkans
Paaradashak
Unique Indian music group
Ja’ala
Original and traditional Middle Eastern Jewish music
Karsilama
Greek Taverna music