Faculty

Norma Fisher

UK

August 3rd - August 12th

Norma Fisher is recognised internationally as one of Britain’s leading pianists and teachers. She has played with many of the great orchestras of the world under leading conductors and with Europe’s finest chamber-musicians.

A protégé of the eminent Greek pianist Gina Bachauer and pupil of Ilona Kabos; at the age of 21 she was a top prize winner in the Busoni International Piano Competition and the same year shared the Piano Prize of the Harriet Cohen International Music Awards with Vladimir Ashkenazy.

Her reputation as a teacher is widely established and many of her
top- prize winning students are well known on the international concert circuit. She is a Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music, a Fellow of the Royal Northern College of Music and is invited to give master classes across the globe. She is also much in demand as a Jury member of many major international piano competitions.

She is the Artistic Director of London Master Classes whose acclaimed courses attract major international talent to work intensively with top performers/teachers in London.

Emanuel Krasovsky

Israel

August 3rd - August 14th

Artistic Director

Professor of Piano, Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel-Aviv University;  Barenboim-Said Academy, Berlin (2018-2020). Born in Lithuania; studied with Mindru Katz, Ilona Kabos, Guido Agosti, Aube Tzerko, and Ania Dorfmann. Doctor of Musical Arts degree, Juilliard School. Soloist with Israel Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein, Carlo Rizzi, Sidney Harth and others, as well as with other Israel’s orchestras. Recitals in USA, Europe, and Israel. Recorded on CD late piano sonatas by Schubert. Collaborated in concert with Isaac Stern, Natalia Gutman, Ileana Cotrubas, Vera Vaidman, among others. Taught master-classes at Juilliard, New York International Keyoboard Festival, Paris Conservatory, London Royal Academy of Music, Royal College, and Guildhall School, Queen Sofia School in Madrid, Berlin Universität der Künste, Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, among many others. Jury member at international competitions: Arthur Rubinstein, Leeds, Dublin, Iturbi (Valencia), Honens, Horowitz (Kiev), Maj Lind (Helsinki), Konzerteum (Greece), Tbilisi, Bremen, Takamatsu, Canberra, Pinerolo, Sennigalia, Cincinnati, and others.

Aviram Reichert

Israel/S. Korea

August 3rd - August 14th

Artistic Director

Professor of Piano, Seoul National University College of Music. Master-classes in Japan, Korea, South Africa, Israel, USA. 
Prizewinner in numerous international competitions, including Bronze medal at the 10th Van Cliburn Competition in Fort Worth. Performed with such conductors as Sergiu Commissiona, James Conlon, James De Priest, David Lockington, Leon Botstein, Emmanuel Krivine, Michele Carulli, among others. Was heard in recital throughout USA, Europe, Far East, South Africa, and Israel. Among festivals he took part in: the Ruhr, Epinal, Ravinia, Gilmore, Fontana, Tokyo. 
Was heard in chamber music with Anne Akiko Meyers, Yuri Gandelsman, Guy Braunstein, Dylana Jenson, Philippe Quindt, and others. Started his piano studies with Hadassah Ben Haim; later worked with Arie Vardi at Tel Aviv University Academy of Music. 

Massimiliano Ferrati

Italy

August 3rd - August 13th

Professor of Piano at the Conservatory “E. F. Dall’Abaco" in Verona. Bronze medal at Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition, Gold medal at Rina Sala Gallo International Piano Competition Monza. Prize-winner at Busoni, Dublin, Calgary, Casagrande, and Pretoria. Masterclasses at the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy in Kiev, Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, Showa University of Tokyo, Tbilisi Piano Fest, International Keyboard Institute and Festival in New York, Wuyishan International Piano Festival (China). Appeared as a soloist with the Israel Philharmonic, Calgary Philharmonic, Gli Archi della Scala di Milano, Moscow Symphony, and Roma Sinfonietta, among other orchestras. Was heard in recitals on prestigious stages in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. Jury member in Piano Competitions like Sydney, Casagrande, Sala Gallo. Recorded and was broadcast by TVP (Telewizja Polska S. A.), CBC Radio & Television, Canada, RTÉ (Radio Telefís Éireann), Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich, Radio Allegro, Johannesburg, Israel Radio Voice of Music, BBC Radio, RAI, Radio, Ljubljana, Radio Classica, Radio Vaticana, Radio Nacional Clasica, Argentina. Recorded for RS, Velut Luna (Mozart Piano Sonatas) and Brilliant Classics (Respighi Violin Sonatas and Martucci Complete Music for Cello and Piano). In 2024-25 two more CDs with Prokofiev Piano Music and Violin & Piano Sonatas will be released by Brilliant Classics. Studied with Mila Zamparo, Kostantin Bogino, Paul Badura-Skoda (at Accademia Chigiana in Siena), and Sergio Perticaroli (Mozarteum in Salzburg and "Santa Cecilia" Academy in Rome, where received the first-class honors diploma). Masterclasses with Fausto Zadra, Bruno Rigutto, Vladimir Ogarkov, Svetlana Bogino, and Dina Joffe.

Tomer Lev

Israel

August 3rd - August 14th

Professor of piano, Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel Aviv University; formerly Head of the School. Maintains a versatile career as soloist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. Performed throughout Europe, North America, South America, the Near East and the Far East. As soloist collaborated with, among other orchestras, the Royal Philharmonic of London, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic, the symphony orchestras of Hamburg, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires. His appearances as soloist with Israel Philharmonic were under the baton of Zubin Mehta, Yoel Levi, Jerzy Semkow, and others. Has been presented at the Lincoln Center in New York, the "Philharmonie" Hall in Berlin, "Teatro Colon" in Buenos Aires, the Beijing Concert Hall, the Municipal Theater of Shanghai, Hamburg "Musikhalle" the "Rudolfinum" in Prague…  Recorded for Naxos, Hyperion, ASV/Sanctuary Records and Champs Hill Records. An enthusiastic chamber musician, he was a member of the Israel Piano Trio and toured with the ensemble Europe and South America. Graduated from Thelma Yellin High School for the Arts; studied the piano with his mother, pianist Naomi Lev, and composition with Tzvi Avni. Completed his B.Mus and M.Mus degrees at the Rubin Academy of Tel Aviv University, under Arie Vardi and Victor Derevianko. His Doctorate, under the guidance of Gilbert Kalish, is from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Asaf Zohar

Israel

August 3rd - August 14th

The recently appointed Head of the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel Aviv University, Prof. Zohar is the former dean, performing arts faculty, and chair, the piano department. at Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Graduated from Givatayim Conservatory, Rubin Music Academy at Tel-Aviv University, and Indiana University (Doctor of Musical Arts degree). Studied with Hanna Shalgi, Arie Vardi, Menahem Pressler, Leonard Hokanson, and Michel Block. Prizewinner, Casadesus competition in Cleveland and contests in Vienna, Sydney and Pretoria. Has performed with Israel’s leading orchestras, including Israel Philharmonic, under Zubin Mehta, David Robertson, Urs Schneider, Mendi Rodan, Noam Sheriff, David Shallon, and others. Concertized in Austria, Germany, France, England, Spain, Italy, Russia, Georgia, USA, South Africa, Australia, and Japan. Edited, presented, and performed in concert series, featuring collected sonatas by Beethoven, concertos by Mozart, piano works by Chopin, Brahms, Schumann and other composers.

Alon Goldstein

Israel/USA

August 4th - August 14th

Professor of Piano at University of Missouri in Kansas City, USA. Internationally celebrated Israeli representative of today's younger pianist generation. Has performed with the Philadelphia, San Francisco, Chicago Dallas, Saint Louis, Houston, Baltimore and Vancouver Symphonies, Los-Angeles, London  and Israel Philharmonics and Radio France orchestra under Zubin Mehta, Herbert Blomstedt, Raphael Fruhbeck de Burgos, Vladimir Jurowski, Peter Oundjian, Klaus Peter Flor, and Yoel Levi. Recitals at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Town Hall as well as the 92 street "Y", the Kennedy Center, Phillips Collection and Strathmore Hall in Washington, DC, the Dame Myra Hess series in Chicago, as well as in London (Purcell room), Moscow (Kremlin), Tel Aviv (Museum) and Jerusalem (Symphony Hall). Also performed at the Gilmore, Santa Fe, Marlboro, Ravinia, Verbier and Ruhr Festivals. Studied with Victor Derevianko and Arie Vardi in Israel and later with Leon Fleisher in the US. Recorded for Naxos Concerti by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Trios by Dvorak with his Tempest Trio and a solo CD of Scarlatti sonatas.

Dror Semmel

Israel

August 3rd - August 14th

Faculty member,  Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel Aviv University, and the Israel Conservatory in Tel Aviv; previously taught at the Levinsky Teachers College and the Jerusalem Conservatory, where headed the piano department. Artistic director of Eden-Tamir Music Center in Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, he also directs the Kan Voice of Music Young Artists Competition and, together with Lea Agmon, the programs of Edward Aldwell Institute in Jerusalem. His students won prizes in competitions and perform with orchestras in Israel and abroad.
Dror Semmel has appeared extensively in Israel, Europe and North America as soloist with orchestras, recitalist, chamber musician and pedagogue. With his sister, Shir Semmel, co-founded the Jerusalem Piano Duo.
Studied at the Jerusalem Academy with Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir, continued in NYC with Victor Rosenbaum and Jacob Lateiner, and completed doctorate as a student of Gilbert Kalish. He also worked regularly with Richard Goode.

Yaron Rosenthal

Israel

August 8th - August 14th

Professor of piano, Head of piano department, Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Was heard as soloist with Israel Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic among other orchestras, under Zubin Mehta, David Robertson, Mendi Rodan, Omer Meir Wellber. As a member of Jerusalem Trio, performed at main venues and festivals in Israel, the Americas, Europe, South Africa and Australia. Winner of Leonard Bernstein Fellowship at Tanglewood Music Center, the Italian Government Award fotr the Arts as well as special fellowship from Banff Arts Center in Canada. Has given master classes at Jerusalem Music Center, Sidney Conservatory, Ferenc Liszt Academy in Budapest, Seoul National University, Music University in Leipzig, and other venues. Studied with Benjamin Oren and Pnina Salzman in Israel and with Murray Perahia in London.

Norman Krieger

USA

August 3rd - August 14th

Chair of the piano department, the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University. Has appeared with major orchestras across North America, including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and the National Symphony, and has performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. Krieger’s collaborations include work with renowned conductors and chamber musicians, and his performances have taken him to prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Mostly Mozart Festival. A dedicated advocate for contemporary music, he frequently features works by composers such as John Adams, Leonard Bernstein, and John Corigliano. Trained at The Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory, and in London with Alfred Brendel and Maria Curcio, Krieger is also the founding artistic director of the Prince Albert Music Festival in Hawaii. Since 2016, he has served as Professor of Piano at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.

Yuval Admony & Tami Kanazawa

Israel

August 3rd - August 14th

The Piano Duo of Tami Kanazawa and Yuval Admony has been awarded The First Prize in five international competitions: 2008 Oslo Prize in Grieg Competition, 2005 Menuhin Gold Prize in Osaka International Competition, 2002 Ibla Grand Prize in Italy, 2001 Rome Prize, and the 2000 Tokyo Duo Competition. In Israel they are the recipients of The Ministry of Culture Award for a Permanent Chamber Group. Piano Duo professors at The Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel Aviv University, they gave piano-duo master classes in Rimsky Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg, The Norwegian Academy of Music, Korean National University of Arts, Pacific Rim Festival in Canada, Japan National Piano Teachers Association and elsewhere. The duo appeared in over 30 countries and in prestigious halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Argentina Theatre in Rome, Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Hall, Warsaw National Radio, Congress Hall in Budapest and others. International festivals include Duet at the Baltic Sea in Russia, Budapest Spring Festival, Klavierduo Festival in Germany, Odessa Dialogues in Ukraine, Asian Music Festival, Felicja Blumental Festival, Upper Galilee, and Israel Festival. Broadcasts by BBC in London, CBC in Canada, Tokyo FM, NHK in Japan, BNR in Bulgaria, Budapest National Radio, Radio New Zealand, Israel's "Voice of Music". Performed with Israel's leading orchestras including Israel Symphony Orchestra, Rishon Lezion, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Tel Aviv Chamber Orchestra, Beer Sheva Sinphoietta, Raanana Symphonette and others.Their Symphonic Poems by Liszt on Naxos label was acclaimed in Fanfare and International Piano magazines. Other releases of the Duo include Rhapsodies for Two Pianos, issued by Romeo Records.

Vera Vaidman

Israel

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia; graduated from Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where her major teachers were Boris Belenky and David Oistrakh. Since arriving in Israel performed  with Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta and Andre Kostelanetz, the Israel Chamber Orchestra under Rudolf Barshai, the Jerusalem Symphony, led by Gerard Schwarz, Lukas Foss, Mendi Rodan  and other conductors, and with all the other orchestras in the country. Toured Europe as recitalist and soloist with orchestras, performing, inter alia, the entire Bach violin solo repertoire and the 10 violin sonatas by Beethoven. On Paul Hindemith's 100-th birthday,  played his violin concerto at the Hindemith festival in Stuttgart, Germany. Vera Vaidman has given recitals in New York, Chicago, New Haven, Rochester, N.Y.

Since 2007 performs also on viola. Presented  the solo cello suites by Bach on viola in tandem with his violin works in Israel, Spain, Germany, Finland and Poland.

Twice she participated in Marlboro Chamber Music Festival (USA), where performed and recorded with Rudolf Serkin, Andras Schiff, Philipp Naegele and other leading musicians.

Member of the faculty at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel Aviv University, Vera Vaidman has conducted master-classes in USA, England, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy,  Hong Kong, Georgia, Croatia, Finland, Poland, Serbia, Hungary, Turkey and Finland.

Ido Ariel

Israel

The Israeli pianist Dr. Ido Ariel is an accompanist, vocal coach, conductor and a lecturer, one of the leading figures in the field of Art-Song in Israel. Since 2013 he is the head of the vocal department at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Since 2012 he is the director of "Shira-Shir" concert series, dedicated to the classical as well as the Israeli art-song in collaboration with prominent Israeli singers. Has accompanied many acclaimed singers in Israel and abroad; he has directed "Singing Words" concert series at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and has artistically advised to related concert-series. A former member of the musical staff at the New Israeli Opera. His activity as lecturer includes master-classes in Europe, the US and Israel. Has won many prizes and awards during his studies in Beer-Sheva Conservatory, The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and the Royal College of Music, London, where he won the Director's award for his research and performance of the songs of Arnold Schoenberg.

Guy Mintus

Israel

A trained concert pianist with the energy of a rock-star and a jazz musician’s sense of adventure, the celebrated Israeli pianist, composer, vocalist and educator is equally at home  sharing the stage with jazz legends, composing for classical orchestras and collaborating with masters of traditional music, working with children or appearing as a soloist with Ska-Punk band Streetlight Manifesto at a sold out New York Beacon Theater. Coming from a mixed heritage of Iraqi, Moroccan & Polish Jews, his music is a meeting point between different rivers of inspiration flowing freely into each other. Recipient of the “Leonard Bernstein Award” by ASCAP and the Bernstein Family Foundation and  Prix du Public at the Montreux Jazz Festival’s solo piano competition, his debut record, “A Home in Between”, has been selected as DownBeat Magazine’s Editor’s Pick, while his most recent release, “Connecting the Dots”, has been celebrated in concerts throughout the US, Canada, France, Switzerland, Germany, Israel, Turkey and Kazakhstan, including a CD release of a New York  concert that has been recommended by the New York Times.  In 2018, he performed Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Bavarian Philharmonic. Guy Mintus has been commissioned to compose works for the American Composers Orchestra, the Jerusalem Symphony  and  Jerusalem East & West Orchestra. In 2018,  composed music for Miracle of Miracles, the new documentary about Fiddler on the Roof by HBO director Max Lewkowicz, and premiered his First piano concerto with the Israel Chamber Orchestra. 

Matan Porat

Israel/Germany

Berlin-based pianist, composer and improviser; an alumnus of Tel Hai International Piano Master Classes.  Was heard at the Philharmonie in Berlin, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Auditorium du Louvre in Paris and Alte Oper in Frankfurt, and as soloist with  the Chicago Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, Polish National Radio Symphony, Geneva Camerata, SWR Symphonieorchester, Concerto Budapest, Helsinki Philharmonic and Hong Kong Sinfonietta, under the baton of Pierre Boulez, Daniel Barenboim, András Keller, Susanna Mälkki, Ludovic Morlot, and Ilan Volkov among others. 
His repertoire embraces the Bach Goldberg Variations and complete Partitas,  complete Schubert piano sonatas, Ives’ Concord Sonata, the Ligeti piano concerto.
A third-prize winner in the Leeds International Piano Competition, he has participated in many chamber-music festivals - Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival, Marlboro, Lockenhaus, Ravinia, Verbier, Musicfest Berlin - collaborating with the Jerusalem, Artemis,  Ysaÿe, Casals, Dover, Modigliani, Schumann quartets. Born in Tel Aviv, he studied with Emanuel Krasovsky at the Tel-Aviv University Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, with Maria João Pires and Murray Perahia. Holds Master's degree from the Juilliard School in New York.

Matan Porat will present his complete cycle of Schubert piano sonatas in four recitals in August 2026 at Tel Aviv Conservatory - alongside Tel-Hai Classes -- as well as teach a public master class in the framework of Tel Hai.