Yael Front |
At noon on Wednesday, February 20th, NHS Hazak presented a delicious lunch and an entertaining musical program featuring Israeli musician Yael Front. HaZak, which stands for Hokma (wisdom), Zikna (maturity), and Kadima (forward) provides monthly programs for people 55+ from September through June. Northern Hills Synagogue is an accessible facility that strives to make all events inclusive of people with disabilities.
After the lunch and Birkat HaMazon, Ms. Front sang selections from the popular Israeli songs of her childhood while accompanying herself on the piano. She also shared stories and anecdotes about the songs.
As a conductor, Yael Front holds positions as music director with the Cincinnati Chamber Opera and conducting fellow with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Between 2016-2018, she served as music director for the University of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Front was awarded 3rd Prize in the London Classical Soloists Conducting Competition, 2015 and in 2017, she was chosen to participate in the Solti International Conducting Competition.
Yael is a recent recipient of both the International Peace Scholarship from P.E.O. International and a John L. Magro Foundation Scholarship. In summer of 2016, she served as assistant conductor for both the National Music Festival in Maryland and the Atlantic Music Festival in Maine. Ms. Front is currently finishing her doctoral studies in orchestral conducting at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. During the 2018-19 season, Ms. Front is scheduled to conduct symphonic, operatic and music theater works across the United States.
Yael sang 11 songs, including "Life is Beautiful", "The 11th Sheep", "You Took Your Hand in Mine", "The Wheat Grows Again", "Jerusalem of Gold", "A Long Road", and a Hebrew version of "Let it Be' by the Beatles.
Amy Healey-Callahan, our chef and Program Director, prepared the lunch buffet. |
Several kinds of pasta and vegetables. |
Sarah Barnard, Hazak co-chair, led the group in Birkat HaMazon, Grace after a Meal. |
Everyone joined in Birkat HaMazon. |
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Sarah Barnard and Bobbi Handwerger, Hazak co-chairs, introduced Yael Front. |
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Bobbi Handwerger thanked Yael for the lovely concert. |
