At what age did you begin playing a musical instrument?
I started playing the violin at the age of 5. After graduating from my Bachelor’s in violin performance, I switched to viola when I was 23 years old.

At what age did you understand that you wish to pursue a musical career?
When I was 21. Throughout high school and the military service I knew that I really enjoy playing, but I thought that I’m probably going to continue to a career in a different field. No matter what, it was important for me that the choice of my future career would be an active one, and I wouldn’t just keep playing because that was what I got used to. After my military service as an Outstanding Musician, I decided to study the violin for my Bachelor’s at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Only several weeks into the semester in an incredibly supporting environment, which consisted an abundance of diverse music making opportunities, in parallel to meeting people who became friends and colleagues, I realized that I wanted to pursue a musical career.

Name an unforgettable moment with the IPO
At the end of my second year in the orchestra, we had concert performances of Puccini’s Turandot with Zubin Mehta. The work load during those days was quite great, however I still couldn’t wait to go back on stage and perform that incredible opera every night. Night after night it felt as if I followed the characters of the opera through their experiences, and I just devoted myself to the larger than life story and music. Even though being a young musician in his second year in the orchestra, it was clear to me that I will never forget these performances. This reunion with Puccini, one of my all time favorites, reminded me of my days as a student at the Indiana University, in which we used to listen to Puccini late at night, on high volume and with great quantity of alcohol which only students can handle.

What do you love to do off-stage?
I really love teaching. I teach at the Sadna Conservatory in Jerusalem and in several festivals in the United States. Connecting with my students is extremely important for me, and the option of being a significant part of someone’s learning curve and development is a tremendous privilege. In my spare time I enjoy listening to podcasts, reading, and delving into topics connecting to history and politics.

What is the special significance of the IPO to you/Why did you want to be part of the IPO?
The IPO is a home. It is a special island. I once heard a story about a famous Israeli composer who came from Europe. He used to say that Europe fits him but he doesn’t belong there, and in Israel which he belongs to he doesn’t fit in. The IPO is a unique place which one can belong to and fit in as well.