Three young musicians from Haifa were invited to perform in Boston. The Haifa musicians were selected by a jury of musicians from among 20 candidates, all graduates of Haifa music schools.

The musicians were invited by the Gann Academy in Boston and will play in a gala evening for the benefit of the Academy, as representatives of the Haifa-Boston connection.

Hagar Shahal

Hagar was born in Haifa, Israel, in 1985. She began her flute studies at the age of 9, and since the age of 11 studied with Osnat Lavi, at the Rubin Conservatory of Music, Haifa. Hagar played solo with the Rubin conservatory orchestra and chamber ensembles, both in Israel and on tours abroad.

Hagar participated in musical youth workshops (MATAN), Early Music Workshops, and Master Classes (with Aurele Nicolet and Emanuel Pahud). She was awarded full travel scholarship for Apple-Hill "Playing for Peace" Summer Chamber Music Festival in New-Hampshire (summer 2003). In summer 2004 Hagar played in the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra conducted and directed by Maestro Daniel Barenboim.

Hagar is a graduate of the WIZO High School for the Arts, Haifa, majoring in music. For the last three years she has been studying with Eyal Ein-Habar. In October 2004, Hagar started the second year of academic studies at the Rubin Academy of Music, Tel-Aviv University. She performed in several recitals, played solo with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra (April 2002), with the Hadera Chamber Orchestra "Classica" (April 2003) and the Young Haifa Symphony Orchestra (April 2003). She also played in live radio concerts on "Kol Hamusika" (radio Voice of Music) as part of the Israel Festival with Pianist Prof. Tomer Lev (June 2004) and a live radio solo concert (November 2004), as part of the Young Musicians Program, initiated by the Jerusalem Music Centre. Hagar played in the Bach Marathon with Eyal Ein-Habar and Ilya Konovalov, as part of the Jerusalem Festival.

Hagar was awarded the Haifa Cultural Foundation Scholarship and the America Israel Cultural Foundation Grant for the academic years 2004-2005. She was also acknowledged as an "Outstanding Musician" by both the Ministry of Education and the IDF, and has been serving in the army under this special status since October 2003.

  
Tomer Gewirtzman

Nov/97 - today: Piano studies at the Haifa Rubin Conservatorium, with his teacher: Mrs. Raaya Shpol.

Nov/97 - today: In the framework of the Haifa Rubin Conservatorium played in many concerts as soloist or chamber music. Participated in master-classes of well-known Israeli pianists including: Prof. Vadim Monastirsky, Prof. Benni Oren, Prof. Asaf Zohar, and Mrs. Hana Shalgi.

Aug/01: Ashdod Young Pianist Competition. Wining prize.

Sep/01 - Jun/04: Studied at "Reut" Junior-High School of the Arts, at the music division. There he participated in many soloist and chamber music concerts.

Jan/02: Performed on stage of the Haifa Family Music Series.

Jun/02: Solo recital at Haifa Rubin Conservatorium.

Jul/02: Musica Mundi, Belgium. Participated a summer school and chamber music festival.

Nov/03: Solo recital at Haifa Rubin Conservatorium.

Dec/03: Chopin Competition, Tel Aviv. Special Diploma.

May/04: Solo recital at Haifa Rubin Conservatorium.

Aug/04: Summit Music Festival, New York. Participated in a music summer school, and played in master classes of: Prof. Jean-Bernard Pommier, Prof. Vadim Monastirsky, Prof. Dina Joffe. In addition played in several concerts along the festival. Participated the concerto competition and got to the final stage.

Aug/04 - today: Student of Prof. Vadim Monastirsky.

Feb/05: Solo recital at the Haifa Rubin Conservatorium.

Feb/05: Chopin Competition, Tel Aviv. First Prize.

  
Zvika Vogel

Zvika Vogel was born in Haifa, Israel in 1986.

He started playing the piano at the age of 6.

Last June he graduated from the WIZO Music and Art High School and the Rubin Conservatory of Music in Haifa as a student of Mrs. Esther Balasha.

Zvika won in a competition for young high school graduates and is currently serving in the Israeli Defense forces in a special unit for gifted musicians.

Zvika has played in recitals and chamber music concerts, was soloist with the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, has done a lot of accompanying and attended many master classes.

Zvika is attending voice training classes and has been singing in several choruses, such as Gittit and Madrigal.