JMI – Where Jewish Music Lives

We are the Jewish Music Institute. We curate, educate and celebrate – bringing to life this rich seam in world culture. Our mission encompasses the music of the Jewish people wherever they are and wherever they have been, preserving and developing this great heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

OT AZOY

Discover JMI’s famous full immersion courses in Yiddish Language, Song and Culture for people of all ages, levels and backgrounds, where complete beginners can learn to speak, read, write, sing and even dream in Yiddish in a week.

Ot Azoy Yiddish language classes are held at 5 levels and are directed by the head of Yiddish at UCL, Dr Khayele Beer, with a faculty of world class Yiddish tutors and experts. As well as hands-on classroom teaching, the course also features an extensive cultural programme of music, theatre, poetry and lectures from a world of Yiddish past and present. Shura Lipovsky, the outstanding Director of The Golden Peacock (Goldene Pave), will also teach a daily session of Yiddish through song. We are very happy to welcome back Brussels’ Yiddish expert Sonia Pinkusowitz, UCL’s Lily Khan, SOAS’s Barry Davis and for the very first time, Yuri Vedenyapin all the way from Harvard.

These courses are always sold out, attracting participants from across the world, so we recommend early booking. We interviewed Khayele, Sonia, Lily, Barry and Yuri from the faculty. To hear the feature and to book your place please visit the link below

GOLDEN PEACOCK

Our annual summer song school returns this year to provide a complete immersion in Yiddish song and song culture. There will be repertoire classes, masterclasses and a Yiddish Choir for all. This year the confirmed faculty are course leader Shura Lipovsky, Berlin’s Yiddish folk-bard Karsten Troyke, Rachel Weston and we are delighted to welcome back Lorin Sklamberg of Klezmatics/YIVO all the way from New York. The year we are delighted to welcome Joseph Finlay as accompanist.

Singers will also be taught Yiddish for Singers with Helen Beer and no day will be complete without joining in the Yiddish choir. There are also social events, Yiddish theatre, film, concerts and much more, so do not delay and book your place early.

We interviewed Shura Lipovsky, Karsten Troyke, Lorin Sklamberg and Rachel Weston from the faculty about their love of the music, the songs and the culture. To hear that feature and to book your place, please visit the link below.

KLEZFEST

We are delighted that after a very successful relaunch last August, our world famous Klezmer summer school returns for 2016. Join our music school and learn klezmer this summer at KlezFest 2016. Here is a peek into what you can expect:

• Hands-on tutoring from world leading experts.
• Traditional klezmer; history, melodies, ornamentation, dance and accompaniment
• Play music in ensembles and delve into improvisational techniques
• Interpret scores, jam and perform to the public.

Faculty:

Ilana Cravitz (Violin – UK)
Alan Bern (Accordion – USA/DE)
Frank London (Trumpet – USA)
Joel Rubin (Clarinet – USA)
Susi Evans (Clarinet – UK)
Guy Schalom (Percussion – UK)
Francesca Ter-berg (Cello – UK)
Vanessa Vromans (Violin- DE)

No klezmer experience necessary. All are welcome. Minimum instrumental proficiency: Grade 5 or equivalent. We interviewed Ilana, Frank, Alan, Susi and Francesca to hear about their excitement for Klezfest and their passion for Klezmer and that podcast as well a the chance to book your place can be heard by clicking the link below.

TANTS, TANTS, TANTS!

Created especially for dancers, this course will be taught by the UK’s expert Yiddish dance leader, Guy Schalom. No experience is necessary, just an interest in Klezmer music and dance. We will cover circle, line, couple and square dances from Jewish Eastern European and beyond. The course will be integrated with the instrumental course, so participants will enjoy live music at every session from faculty members.

About the course

The course will cover:
– Core Yiddish dance repertoire including freylekhs, sher, khosidl, patsh.
– Co-territorial and cross-genre repertoire including bulgar, Romanian hora (zhok), sirba, plus related local European dances such as Korobushka and Miserlou.
– Jewish styling and aesthetic.
– How to respond to a live band.
– How to lead dancing, and how to direct and guide a live band in workshops and simchas.

JAM 8-15 SEPTEMBER 2016

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the JMI’s JAM Festival – the UK’s unique festival dedicated to Jewish Arts and Music. Details and booking links for all of our events are listed below.

JMI is the home of Jewish music in the UK. We’re dedicated to informing and inspiring audiences with an exciting, original programme of live performances, educational events and collaborative projects. You can check out more of our
programmes at www.jmi.org.uk

JAM Media Partner: Jewish Chronicle

A special evening of music in Yehudi Menuhin’s centenary year featuring an all-star line up to celebrate the glorious diversity of Lord Menuhin’s extraordinary legacy. Menuhin was not just one of the finest classical violinists of all time, he was one of a kind.

1st Half: Johan Dalene and Yehudi Menuhin School Orchestra 
Interval
2nd Half: The Alternative Menuhin

Come on down for a fun-packed afternoon for all the family in one of London’s most beautiful parks. As well as BBC Radio 3 DJ Max Reinhardt and the Community Hub, the Kids Zone will have an exciting programme to keep the children entertained.
This year’s live stage will feature this stellar line up:

1230: JFS Klezmer Band
1300: Tantz with Guliano Modarelli on Indian Guitar
1400: Don Kipper with The Sabbey Drummers from Ghana
1500: The London Winchevsky featuring the London Yiddish Choir
1600: Lorin Sklamberg and The London Klezmer Allstars
1700: The Turbans with Cantor Steven Leas