Michele Levine
Leader, Vocals, Israeli Dance Leader
Michele began performing as a teenager in the Catskills. She has a degree in theatre, attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and studied with Martha Schlamme. After attending law school and working as a Manhattan Assistant D.A., Michele returned to performing full-time 18 years ago and never looked back. Featured in concerts and folk festivals here and abroad, Michele founded the Klezmer Connection 15 years ago. The group’s lead Jewish singer, she sings in (and speaks) Hebrew and Yiddish. She also leads Israeli folk dancing, which she began as a teenager at Habonim in Brighton Beach.
Norbert Statchel
Clarinet, Saxes, Flute
Norbert is a multi-instrumental recording and performance artist, on clarinet, sax and flute. He performs klezmer, Yiddish and Israeli music , as well as R & B, jazz, classical, funk and rock. He has been featured on albums and performances with artists such as Aerosmith, Prince, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond and the Temptations, as well as on numerous film and TV soundtracks . He has also been featured on many CD’s of klezmer music, and on PBS documentaries on Jewish life and culture.
Mike Coon
Guitar, Vocals
A graduate of Boston's Berklee College of Music, Mike has accompanied singers such as Robert Goulet, Peggy Lee and Carley Simon. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and lead the band at Maxim's, as well as having accompanied all major Jewish singers. He is a composer for both albums and theatre, and you may also have heard him as a singer and guitarist on many TV commercials, ranging from Ralph Lauren to Foxwoods, Cadillac to American Express.
Gary Schreiner
Keyboard, Accordion, Jazz Harmonica
Gary, a graduate of Berklee, is an Emmy award-winning composer for film and television. His music is featured in such films as “Liberty Heights,” “Ray” and “Thank You for Not Smoking,” as well as on TV on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Discovery Channel and on MTV. He can be heard on many CDs, including Chris Rock’s comedy CD, “Roll With The New”, and has worked with Yoko Ono, Marvin Hamlisch, Carly Simon, Blue Man Group, Dave Chappelle, Patti LaBelle, and Kermit the Frog.
Philip Shimmel
Drums, Vocals
Philip studied music at Maryland University, and is both a terrific drummer and singer. He has toured and performed with Tanya Tucker, Pharo Saunders, The Night Tripper, and Joan Osbourn. Philip shines in everything from R & B to jazz to party favorites to Jewish music. He also does amazing vocal percussion for our a cappella performances.
Cecilia Tenconi
Clarinet, Saxes, Flute, Vocals
A Berklee graduate with an MA from City College, Cecilia has performed, toured and recorded with stars from the Latin, Jazz, Pop and Klezmer worlds, such as Ray Barretto, Chico O’Farrill Big Band, Diva, Tania Maria, Arrow, David Kikoski, Herbie Mann, Manhattan Transfer and Bette Midler. She sings in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Hebrew and Yiddish. She has performed at numerous international music festivals including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Stockholm Water Festival, France’s Festival Musique de Rue, and the King’s Palace in Morocco.
Iosif (Joe) Zilberman
Violin, Vocals
Joe graduated from the Chernovtsy Conservatory of Music in the Ukraine. Singing in five languages with a huge international repertoire, and with a strong classical background, Joe has also performed with Turkish and Hungarian/Gypsy bands, and Princeton's Westminster Conservatory Symphony. Playing Jewish music has a special, bittersweet resonance for Joe: when he was growing up, this music could only be played in secret, at risk of imprisonment.
Ken Gross
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Piccolo Trumpet, EVI
A graduate of Juilliard, Ken, whose style has been described as "Harry James meets Maynard Ferguson", is one of the most sought-after trumpet virtuosi in New York and around the country. He has been professionally involved in every performing medium: Concerts (symphonic, big band, major artists, Klezmer, Orthodox and Israeli), recordings/jingles, television, film/video ("Brighton Beach Memoirs", "Image Before My Eyes", "Partisans Of Vilna"), MTV specials and Broadway ("Follies", "Annie", "Dream Girls" and "Starlight Express").
Jay Pincus
Game Leader, DJ
A DJ and games leader for twenty years, and a middle and high school teacher for twelve, Jay is dynamic, creative, energetic and funny. He's a great DJ who entertains without blasting. And as a game leader, he offers a huge menu of activities--games, contests and line dances--that engage kids throughout the party, so they're always having a great time. He'll even create a special game based on your child's interests!
Rob Taube
Guitar/Keyboard/Vocals
A gifted singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Rob has shared the stage with such artists as Merle Haggard, Conrad Twitty and Hank Williams, Jr. Rob has also had a career as music journalist, and is a prodigious and award-winning composer. He is a dynamic performer who, besides having a huge American repertoire, also sings in Yiddish, Hebrew and Russian.
Gloria Carpenter
Vocals
From contemporary to classic rock, big band jazz to soulful ballads, Gloria is a gifted and multi-talented vocalist and recording artist. Trained in musical theatre and dance, she has performed at Lincoln Center, the Apollo and most major venues. She exudes a dynamic exuberance that raises the energy level on every dance floor!
Janet Leto
Vocals
Janet is an American vocalist with a wide range of styles, including Jazz, Classical, Country, Rock, Pop and R&B. She has opened for, performed and recorded with Carol Sylvan, Ronni Specter and The Little River Band. Songs she's written have hit the top 10 in R & B charts and been featured in several Indie Films. You can also hear on her on commercials for Jaguar, Toyota and Honda.
Jim Gold
Israeli Dance Leader, Classical Guitar
A graduate of the Eastman School with a Masters in Music, Jim has been teaching folk dancing for more than twenty years throughout the tri-state area (see his schedule at jimgold.com). He also leads folklore/folk dance groups to international destinations. As a guitarist, Jim has appeared on radio and television, in hundreds of concerts, founded the classical guitar department at Montclair State, and taught at NYU.