2020-21 Free Virtual Public Programs

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During the 2020-21 program year, the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music was pleased to present the following four distinct series of free virtual Jewish music programs.

We also offered individual programs which were not a part of a series, which you will see below.

The program year was made possible by the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music with additional generous support from the David Vickter Foundation.

Jewish Music Masterclass
Jewish Music Masterclass

This series invited audiences to engage with some of the biggest names in Jewish music. Artists discussed their work and shared their inspiration by reflecting on their Jewish identity.

Learn to Play
Learn to Play

These virtual workshops invited attendees to work with specialists to develop their musical techniques in diverse examples of heritage music including Klezmer and Yiddish music, Sephardi/Mizrahi music, and Ladino Music.

  • Any Instrument Will Do: Klezmer Workshop featuring Lorry Black, Ph.D. | November 8, 2020 | 4-6 PM PT | November 9, 2020 | 5-7 PM PT
  • Fiddling and Yiddish Song Workshop after 30 minute concert featuring Craig Judelman and Sasha Lurje | February 14, 2021 | 11AM – 12:30 PM PT
  • Klezmer Workshop featuring Dan Blacksberg and Deborah Strauss | April 11, 2021 at 11AM and April 15, 2021 at 5PM PT
  • Mizrahi Sacred Songs (Piyutim) – From Pulpit to Pop Chart I & II featuring Galeet Dardashti | April 18, 2021 at 11AM and April 23, 2021 at 11AM PT
  • Unaccompanied Singing Workshop featuring Ethel Raim and Sarah Myerson | May 16, 2021 and May 23, 2021 | 1-3 PM PT

The klezmer/Yiddish events in this series are made possible through generous support from the David Vickter Foundation.

Album Drop
Album Drop

This series featured prominent American Jewish musicians discussing their newly released albums. Artists  discussed their new work in depth and, in some cases, the creative challenges they have faced while creating art in quarantine.

Jewish Music Book Talks
Jewish Music Book Talks

Virtual talks by scholars examined their recently authored publications related to American Jewish Music.

Individual Programs
Individual Programs
  • February 23, 2021, 5PM PT: “The Making of the Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof”
  • March 4, 2021, 5PM PT: “Remembering Theodore Bikel – The People’s Singer”
  • March 15, 2021, 5PM PT: “For the Love of Opera: Celebrating RBG’s 88th Birthday”
  • April 25, 2021, 4PM PT: “Experiencing Jewish Music in New York: A Virtual Tour”
  • June 2, 2021, 4PM PT: “To Bigotry No Sanction: An Exclusive Virtual Screening”