Prof. Johan Schmidt, pianist (Belgium)

The renowned Belgian pianist Johan Schmidt was Eduardo del Pueyo's student and continued studies with Karl-Heinz Kammerling. He won first prize in various competitions, among them Maria Callas in Athens, Japan Competition in Tokyo, and was awarded the Leonardo da Vinci from Rotary International. A regular guest with the leading Belgian orchestra, Johan Schmidt also appeared with the new Japan... Read more

Prof. Ronald van Spaendonck, clarinetist (Belgium)

Ronald van Spandonk was born in 1970 in Belgium. In 2000, he was elected by the BBC as New Generation Artist, consequently invited to play with the Scottish BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Philhamony Orchestra and the Wales National Orchestra, with which he appeared at the 2002 Proms concert. He played recitals and chamber music concerts in leading venues in the UK, in Edinburgh Festival... Read more

Eyal Shiloach, violinist (Israel)

The artistic director of the International Master Classes for the year 2024, internationally renowned violinist Eyal Shiloach, a student of Prof. Ilona Feher, Prof. Chaim Taub, the renowned violinist Isaac Stern, and violist Prof. Michael Tree of the Guarneri Quartet, has appeared as a soloist with orchestras worldwide, including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra,... Read more

Shulamit Sarid cellist (Israel)

Shulamit Sarid, born in Jerusalem in 1993, began studying the cello at age five with her mother, Mrs. Bluma Sarid, at the Israel Conservatory and later with Prof. Emanuel Gruber. She graduated from the Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts with special distinction. At 16 she was accepted to the Buchmann Mehta School of Music in Tel Aviv University, continuing her studies with Prof. Hillel... Read more

Guy Schalom, drums and percussions player (England)

The percussionist and bandleader Guy Schalom has appeared with many major Arabic artists and dancers in festivals in Europe and USA, guides master classes and combines in his performances Klezmer and Egyptian music. His own group The Baladi Blues Ensemble focuses on improvised urban Egyptian music. He is also active in Jewish music and has worked with many major artists in this tradition,... Read more

Merlin Shepherd, clarinetist (England)

Merlin Shepherd is one of the world's leading players of traditional East European Klezmer Clarinet style, and apart from his own ensembles he has recorded and played with Boban Marcovic, Fanfara Ciocarlia, Fanfara Savale, Selim Sesler, Budowitz, Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars and numerous others. He has been Music Director for the Royal National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company... Read more

Eli Preminger, trumpeter (Israel)

Eli Preminger is one of the leading trumpeters of the folk and traditional jazz music scene in Israel. As trumpeter and arranger in various ensembles he has appeared in leading festivals such as the Israel Festival, the Montreal Jazz festival, the Jewish festival in Krakow, the Sacred Music festival in Jerusalem, among others. In Israel he performs with Marsh Dondurma Orchestra and with various... Read more

Polina Shepherd, singing (Russia/England)

Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a Russian-Jewish home where songs were regularly sung at the table. She studied at the State Academy of her home town Kazan and became the principal Yiddish choir leader of the Soviet Union, composing original material for large groups of voices and touring internationally with her Quartet Ashkenazim. Growing up in Tatarstan placed her... Read more

Ilya Magalnyk, accordion player (Israel)

Accordion artist, composer, arranger, Ilya Magalnyk was born in Moldova, where he received his musical education and began his musical career. In 1990 he immigrated to Israel and soon became a meanigful figure in Israel's music scene. He performed with leading Israeli artists, including Shlomo Gronich, Efi Netzer, Leonid Ptashka, Dan Almagor, Zvika Hadar, Alex Ansky, Haya Samir, Alicia Svigals,... Read more

Cookie Segelstein, violinist and violist (USA)

Violin and violist, Cookie Segelstein, received her Master's degree in Viola from The Yale School of Music in 1984. She was Principal Violist in Orchestra New England and Assistant Principal in the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, as well as on the music faculty at Southern Connecticut State University. She is the founder and director of Veretski Pass, a member of Budowitz, the Youngers of Zion... Read more

Talia Ilan, conductor (Israel)

Tali Ilan is Music Director of the Israel Stage Orchestra, Music Director of the Campus Symphony Orchestra Ramat Hasharon, guest conductor with The Israel Chamber Orchestra, Israel Sinfonietta Be'er Sheva, Haifa Symphony Orchestra, Ashdod Symphony Orchestra and Ra’anana Symphonette Orchestra. Graduated from the Jerusalem Rubin Academy (M.Mus and Artist Diploma) majoring in Orchestral Conducting... Read more

Nassim Dakwar, violinist and oud player (Israel)

Conductor in Residence of the Tarshiha Classical Arab Music Orchestra. A member of Bustan Avraham Ensemble and Zariab Trio together with Taissir Elias and Zohar Presco. One of the leading artists in his field, Nessim Dakuar (???) performs in Israel and abroad, among others with The Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and in Cairo's Opera house. He guides international workshops and master... Read more

Artists 2016