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Klezmer Youth at Klezfest 2023

Klezmer Youth at Klezfest 2023 is an opportunity for young people aged 8-18 to learn some great klezmer tunes and traditional techniques in a relaxed environment with experienced teachers Ilana Cravitz (violin) and John Macnaughton (clarinet, sax). Students will learn klezmer tunes from the NKYO (National Klezmer Youth Orkester) repertoire, develop accompaniments, work together on arrangements, and discuss performance skills. 

The course is suitable for students of all instruments (melody instruments should be chromatic) playing at grade 4 or equivalent and upwards.

Ilana Cravitz

Ilana Cravitz performs and teaches klezmer music and dance around the world. A former director of Klezfest and other international klezmer festivals, as well as a regular faculty member at all sorts of folk, classical and world music events & workshops, Ilana is now establishing the National Klezmer Youth Orkester (NKYO) to provide common repertoire and year-round klezmer opportunities for young people. www.ilanacravitz.com

John Macnaughton

John Macnaughton is a saxophonist and clarinettist specializing in the folk/world music scene. Over his career John has played with many leading ensembles and musicians, in a variety of traditions.

Current projects include Loshn Klezmer Band; featuring Anna Lowenstein (Fidl), Susi Evans (Accordion), and Janos Kallai (Cimbalom), and helping Ilana Cravitz run the National Klezmer Youth Orkester (NKYO).

He co-founded award-winning klezmer ensemble ‘Oysland‘ (World Music Network, Battle of the Bands, 2017), plays traditional Bulgarian/Macedonian music with ‘Raka Balkan Band‘, and directed the SOAS klezmer band from 2015-2019.

‘Barnstorming alto sax’
Ian Mann, thejazzmann.com, London Jazz Festival, 2015

‘Top-notch, next-generation Klezmer’
DJ Ritu, A World in London, Resonance FM

‘Top musicianship, true to the Klezmer tradition and great fun too!’
Broadstairs Folk Festival

Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the JMI team for extra information about the course, accommodation advice or financial support.

FEES:

Full rate £80 (£60 if booked before 1st June 2023)

Refund policy:
10% if cancelled before 1 June.
25% if cancelled after 1 July.
50% if cancelled after 1 August.