Nineteen violinists, ages 6-18, from the Thurnauer School of Music at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, performed at the Times of Israel Gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on Feb 15, featuring Tania Vinokur, a singer, dancer, drummer and virtuoso violinist, who travels the globe with her performance repertoire.

The collaboration between Tania and the Thurnauer violinists came about when the event organizer, James Oppenheim, spoke with Carey White, the School’s Artistic Director of Group Violin, who thought that Tania and the young violinists made a perfect match. “I was convinced that pairing these talented young kids with Tania’s high-energy and enthusiasm would capture the theme of the evening—celebrating peace and hope for the future.”

Oppenheim shared the idea with producer and manager David Azoulay, who approached Tania about the collaboration. The students joined Tania in a musical interlude that blends Classical, Eastern and Flamenco music with Jazz, Pop and Electronic tunes.

“The Times of Israel was founded to tell Israel’s story, and the fact that our students had the opportunity to take the stage at an event of this kind, attended by outstanding Israeli statesmen, such as Shimon Peres, political commentator Alan Dershowitz, and other famous diplomats and politicians is an honor and a privilege for both the children and the JCC,” said JCC CEO Avi A. Lewinson. “I couldn’t be more proud.”

The students who performed were Serena Agus, Emma Barnett, Leo Besen, William Blumberg

Matthew Bourghol, Laura Centanni, Sophia Davis, Irene Fauta, Olivia Kang, Beverly Lauring,

Talia Miller, Lindsey Orefice, Jessica Orefice, Georgia Post-Lipnick, Daniella Renteria, Ava Taboada, Kassidy Todisco, Maddie Weiss.

The JCC Thurnauer School of Music has been named a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. It is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and received an award for “excellence and high standards” from The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.