About

The "Clarinet and Klezmer in the Galilee" masterclasses project was founded 15 years ago at the initiative of Mr. Micha Yinon, Director of Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Science and Sport.

Artistic management was given to Maestro Giora Feidman, a world-renowned clarinetist and one of the greatest musicians that revived Klezmer music in our generation. Maestro Feidman held the position for the first 10 years of the project.  The music producer of the masterclasses project was the musician, clarinet artist, Hanan Bar-Sela. After 10 years of activity in Safed, the project moved to Jerusalem and its artistic director is now Mr. Hanan Bar-Sela.

For the past 15 years, world-renowned musicians and teachers have come to Israel and have shaped the character and spirit of the masterclass project: jazz clarinetist Eddie Daniels (New York), Prof. Corrado Gioffredi – Principal clarinetist at the La Scala in Milan (Italy), The international soloist Prof. Charles Nedich, teacher at the Juilliard School (New York), the clarinetist Helmut Eisel (Germany), Prof. Philippe Cooper, Principal clarinetist at the Paris Opera (France), the Gitanes Blondes quartet (Germany) , Along with Israeli teachers such as Prof. Ilan Shul, Prof. Gersh Geller, Accordion artist Emil Aybinder, Guri Agmon and many others.

Over the years the masterclasses in Safed & Jerusalem have received international recognition and much appreciation. Musicians of all ages and backgrounds who wish to participate in the seminar come from all over the world, Jews and non-Jews, religious and secular.

The typical daily program is intensive: group masterclasses in a wide range of styles and musical repertoires, chamber ensembles, master classes and rehearsals for performances in which teachers and students share the stage before an audience of thousands of people.

The masterclasses are held in cooperation with the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and are supported by the music department of the ministry of culture and sports.