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Roy Amotz
Lives today in Berlin, performing as a soloist, chamber musician, and principal flutist with leading orchestras and musical institutions across Europe.
“Hassadna was my musical home in Jerusalem from the age of 8 until 18 – ten years in which I received not only a musical education but also a true sense of belonging. Something in the spirit of this place – the combination of striving for excellence together with a deep commitment to social values – has always moved me and remains unique in my eyes.
From the recorder to the flute – and later to conducting – it was the beginning of a journey I am still walking today, with every twist bringing something new and surprising. During my army service I played in the Outstanding Musicians Unit, and on the very day of my release I flew to Germany to study. Today I live in Berlin and perform in many settings – with ensembles, with orchestras, and as a soloist – constantly seeking to create meaningful, transformative experiences through classical music.
I have no doubt that my years at Hassadna became an inseparable part of who I am – both as a person and as a musician – and will continue to accompany me wherever I go.”
Avraham Terife
Graduate of the Barenboim–Said Academy in Berlin, prize winner in international violin competitions.
“Hassadna is home! This is where I took my very first steps in the world of music, and although I initially came to learn how to play, I feel that I ended up learning so much more. The professionalism and dedication of the students pushed me to a new level of persistence and progress. The wonderful teachers, who never gave up on me, taught me the value of hard work and perseverance.
At Hassadna I learned to respect, to appreciate, and to love. The incredible staff followed me and guided me throughout my years at the conservatory and also in my personal life outside of it. They made sure I lacked nothing, supported me in times of crisis, gave me extraordinary opportunities to perform in the most prestigious halls in Israel and abroad, provided me with financial and even emotional support, instilled in me the motivation to keep going, and gave me love like that of a family.
This perfect place is hard to describe in words, and so in the future, when I look back on Hassadna, I will not think about what I was given or what was done for me, but rather about how it made me feel.”
Dr. Shir Semmel
Performs internationally as a soloist in leading concert halls, Shir is part of the faculty at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, nurturing young pianists with remarkable talent and success.
“Hassadna Conservatory was an inseparable part of my childhood, almost like a second home. I studied with a new teacher who had just joined the conservatory at the time, Lena Nemirovsky, who invested in me with endless dedication and gave me the piano foundation that serves me to this day. My individual studies were complemented by collaborations with other children at the conservatory, whom I always held especially dear – playing in ensembles, listening to different instruments, and participating in special group projects. The shared musical activity and the great love for music that united us all greatly enriched and strengthened my musical development.
Later, I continued my higher studies at academies in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and subsequently traveled to the United States to study with pianist Leon Fleisher. Recently, I completed my Doctorate in Piano at Stony Brook University, New York. I have performed at various festivals in Israel and abroad, as a soloist with orchestras, and in major halls including Carnegie Hall in New York, where I performed regularly as part of the ACJW ensemble of Carnegie Hall and Juilliard.
In the upcoming season, I will perform a series of recitals in Europe at the personal invitation of the renowned pianist Sir András Schiff, as part of a series highlighting exceptional young pianists. This academic year, I began teaching at Hassadna Conservatory, which is an especially meaningful full-circle moment for me. I hope to contribute to creating the same professional and human musical environment in which I grew up, and to pass on the deep love of music to future generations.”
Talia Erdal
Cellist, composer, and singer, covering a wide range of musical styles. Serves as principal cellist of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the faculty at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.
“Let’s start with this fact: I cannot imagine my childhood without Hassadna Conservatory. This place was so integral to my musical development, but also to my personal and social growth, and to so much of the confidence and joy I experienced during my childhood and adolescence. I owe an enormous part of my musical world today to this place.
I remember theory lessons with the legendary Lea Kishinevsky, who, I believe, is the reason I also compose, sing, and play simultaneously. I remember long days and nights of chamber music rehearsals with friends. I remember the administration – Lena and Ronit – always involved, always striving for uncompromising musical results, and always caring about my well-being and supporting me where needed. Of course, I remember Sabina, who taught me cello from the very beginning, and from whom I learned to give everything for every note I play. Later, I also studied with the wonderful Oleg, who taught me jazz and even wrote a piece that accompanied me through very significant parts of my musical journey.
As soon as I finished my studies at Hassadna, I began teaching there, because in a place like home, once you grow up, you also care for the younger siblings. Today I am the principal cellist of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. I am also a composer and singer, performing my music across Israel and abroad, and performing with various jazz ensembles. I studied in Amsterdam and London, and this year I began teaching at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.
I feel fortunate to have studied in a place that combines such a high professional standard with a warm, personal approach that cares for every student. Most of all, I am grateful for the understanding that these two elements do not conflict, but rather complement and strengthen each other.”
Elisha Kravitz
Graduate of top music schools across Europe, member of the teaching faculty at the Stuttgart Conservatory, and member of the trio "Delyria".
“It is no exaggeration to say that I grew up at Hassadna, and that the conservatory has been and remains a second home for me ever since I began pre-instrument lessons at the age of 4. What is most amazing about Hassadna is the almost impossible combination of striving for excellence and maintaining humanity: the conservatory knows how to support each student in their unique path, encourage when needed, and recognize the precise moment to push for the next ‘level.’
The word ‘dedication’ doesn’t come close to describing the enormous investment and love that the teaching staff and administration at Hassadna put into their work. On a personal level, I was fortunate that Lena Nemirovsky, now the director of the conservatory, was my first piano teacher and guided me through 12 significant years. Lena ensured that I experienced a happy childhood, as every child should, while at the same time providing me with all the tools to pursue a musical career, including a deep love for the art. She encouraged me to open my mind, explore music theory and composition, and pushed me to try chamber music. Her encouragement truly made an impact, and over the years I realized that chamber music was my dream. Today, I am a professional pianist, holding a master’s degree with distinction from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and continuing my chamber music studies in Frankfurt, Germany.
I owe so much to this extraordinary place. The conservatory changed the course of my life, as it has for many other alumni. There is no doubt that I was fortunate to be part of the Hassadna family.”
Dr. Talia Amar
Award-winning composer and pianist, whose works have been performed at leading festivals worldwide by top-tier artists. Serves as Head of Innovation and Technology at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.
“From the age of 5 until 18, Hassadna Conservatory was my second home. I studied piano, ballet, chamber music, and theory there, spending every afternoon immersed in music. I began my piano studies with Lena Nemirovsky, my first teacher, and I was her very first student – she gave me my initial passion for music. Later, I studied at Hassadna with the late Louisa Yoffe, from whom I learned perseverance, hard work, and ambition. I performed countless concerts and recitals at the conservatory, and I am certain that this experience shaped me into the musician I am today.
I completed my master’s and doctoral studies in the United States, and today I am a composer, pianist, and lecturer at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, where I also serve as Head of Innovation and Technology. My compositions are performed in Israel and around the world by leading ensembles and orchestras.
What makes Hassadna Conservatory truly special, beyond professional training, is the sense of belonging to a family – a happy, supportive, and nurturing family that always listens. I was fortunate to be part of this family, and the experiences I had there, both professional and personal, will continue to accompany me and remain a part of who I am for my entire life.”
What has not been said about music – that it is a tool for expressing emotions, love, a path to God, a way to tell beautiful things about people, experiences, reality, and more… In short, music is our human refuge. But for all of this to be realized, a proper musical home is needed – a place where every child is welcomed with both warmth and professional guidance at the beginning of their personal journey in the world of music and beyond. As parents, we were given the opportunity to entrust our child to such a home – the most suitable, the most professional, the most supportive place – in short, the best in the world: Hassadna Conservatory in Jerusalem. Hassadna Conservatory, which brings together the most talented, kind, and supportive staff under the leadership of the one and only Lena Nemirovsky, became not only a second home for our children but also for us, the parents. A place that embraces every child at every moment, with every musical instrument, covering the full spectrum of the musical world. Hassadna Conservatory guides its students to fulfill their dreams and become significant contributors to the cultural discourse in Israel and around the world. As parents, we will always hold a special place in our hearts for everything our child and many other children have received – children who continue as alumni to be active participants, not only visiting but also performing in concerts and events throughout the year. Hats off to everyone – your success is the success of the next generations, Jerusalem, and the wider world.
"No one learns except from a place their heart desires." What is it about Hassadna that succeeds in leading such a learning process – a learning that comes from choice and requires so much motivation, effort, and self-discipline? The secret of this place is not only in the high-quality "products" it brings within its walls – that is, its excellent teachers – but in the way things are managed and made accessible. The unique personalities of the leadership team – Lina, Ronit, Oleg, Shagit, and Chava – form a special combination of five directors: on one hand, the most serious and exacting you could imagine, and yet fully connected with every fiber of their being to the children, living the spirit of the adolescents, and understanding the minds of the parents. How deep and wise. Hassadna is an example of an exemplary family – a pair of parental figures embodied in five directors, united and loving friends, who, through the strength of their union, are also authoritative, raising a large family – many children – yet treating each as an only child. A family that works hard, is cohesive, knows its goals and direction, and most importantly, knows how to enjoy together. At Hassadna, work and nurturing go hand in hand. Children here do not only learn music. Many other values – the dream of any educational institution – are imparted explicitly or implicitly. Humanistic values such as social openness, the understanding that art transcends all cultural differences, teamwork, and listening to others; not to mention learning, perseverance, self-discipline, and responsibility. The sky is the limit. True passion for excellence, always striving forward. This is a place where, given a child with talent and commitment, the path is open – and it is open to all. Multiculturalism here is not a slogan; it is a principle. Everyone has a place. And all of this is achieved in a very intimate atmosphere – a family. We are humbled by all the kindnesses and talents nurtured here. But we are also humbled by the privilege we, as parents, had to witness our children grow in such rich years that Hassadna provided us. Thank you.
Towards the end of 10th grade, my son, Peleg, decided to take a dramatic turn in his musical path, aiming to significantly strengthen the “classical” direction in his musical education. He switched from saxophone to clarinet and applied to Hassadna Conservatory following an admired teacher who was willing to accept him as a student. Hassadna welcomed him warmly. Even before officially enrolling, he was able to experience the place, attend classes, and even use the practice rooms. As a parent, I found myself connected to a nurturing educational environment unlike any I had encountered before (Peleg is my fifth child, so I have considerable experience with educational systems in our country). I realized that professionalism, skill, and artistic excellence do not need to be accompanied by rigidity, strictness, or competitive pressure. A warm, supportive, and encouraging approach from all the experienced adults leading the rich, diverse, and complex activities within Hassadna produces exceptionally high musical quality. The training Peleg and his peers received opened the doors to all the prestigious talent incubators, including Mishkenot Sha’ananim, the Young Philharmonic, and masterclasses both in Israel and abroad. The most remarkable aspect, in my eyes, is that Hassadna’s connection with its alumni continues, providing guidance and support even to those who have completed their studies. I only wish that the leadership of Hassadna were running the country…
Hassadna is much more than a place to study music at a high level – it is first and foremost a family. A loving family, a demanding family, a caring family, but above all, a devoted family: a single, unified, cohesive unit that is difficult to put into words, allowing each individual to grow in their own unique way and bringing forth the inner music of every student. Having studied for years at conservatories in France, I arrived in Israel full of preconceptions – a young country, supposedly without a “cultural” past, not able to teach music properly – and therefore I didn’t even consider Israeli conservatories. Until one day, for reasons I no longer remember, I searched online for a conservatory in Jerusalem and came across Hassadna’s website. Just then, there was an announcement that a concert by the alumni would take place in a few days. I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to see the place, meet the staff, and experience the level of the music. I took my two sons, and we went to the concert. Despite their young age, they sat in the front row, completely captivated. It was truly an unforgettable experience. Unlike anything I had known abroad, I did not encounter only students who could play well and professionally, but real artists – souls that play, whose inner voices merge with the sound of the music so that you no longer know where one ends and the other begins. That evening, a flute piece by Oleg was performed – so beautiful and moving – and I decided: this is the place for our children. For the love, the demands, and the training that reveal to us, both to the eye and the ear, the hidden inner worlds of each student – thank you from the bottom of our hearts.