Our Sincerest Wishes For A Very Happy Passover choir in Israel. On tour in London, "Ankor" sang with the Israel Philharmonic, con- ducted by Zubin Mehta, at the Barbican Center, receiv- ing rave reviews in the press and radio. The high school gives a diploma with a major in music and dance. Students, aged 12-18, take part in com- petitions and student ex- changes and perform regular- ly before live audiences. The Academy offers a wide array of options in its four departments: Performing Arts; Theory, Composition and Conducting; Music and Dance Education; and Dance and Movement and academic degrees can be obtained in each of these art forms. The Academy's 200-mem- ber faculty are the creme de la creme of Israel's music and dance teachers, and the Academy's graduates are represented in most of Israel's professional music and dance companies. Alumni often teach the arts in junior and senior high schools. In addi- tion, students form their own performing groups: jazz, baro- que, and chamber ensembles; modern and classical dance groups; choirs and big bands, forming the backbone of Israel's performing arts world. "Artistic education is of vital importance to a thriving \)= In the international cultural arena, the Academy's reputation for excellence is widely recognized. country such as Israel," says Mr. Rodan who has head- ed the Academy for the past ) six years. Student groups \__, give performances abroad 1— and music and dance ex- changes with performing groups in other countries are frequent. The Academy Chamber choir recently returned from a very moving concert tour in Poland, where they met with representatives of Poland's Jewish communi- ty and performed at the site of the Auschwitz concentra- tion camp. In the international cultural arena, the Academy's reputation for excellence is widely recognized. Says new immigrant Alberto Boh- bouth, a promising pianist in his third year of studies at the Academy, "In Argentina I had heard of the Rubin Academy and knew I wanted to study there when I came to Israel. After studying here for two years I returned to Argentina to give a concert in the coun- try's greatest concert hall. Upon hearing that I studied at the Academy, the or- chestra's conductor was im- mediately assured that I was good." "The competition is fierce," continues Mr. Bohbouth, "but it pushes us to work harder. There is also a feeling of camaraderie, as students get together to form performing groups and very intense rela- tionships develop." This year the wave of Rus- sian immigrants has changed the character of the Academy. Of the 400 students accepted 100 are Russian immigrants. Says Ms. Tabor-Pintz, "The Russians come with good musical backgrounds, which have enriched the Academy's performing groups." Pieces that could not previously be played due to a lack of violinists or bassoonists or oboists, are now being per- formed as the Russian im- migrants fill these gaps. Although 12 new Russian faculty members have been added to the staff, in addition to the veteran Russian teachers, special Hebrew classes are held for the new immigrants. Says Esther Narkiss, "The Conservatory is the first place the Russian immigrants send their children, for they waste no time in finding out the best place to study music in Israel." Furthermore, musical in- struments are considered state property in Russia, for- cing many of the immigrants to leave their instruments behind. The Friends of the Academy have purchased new instruments for the im- migrants to practice on while studying at the Academy, and practice rooms are open from 7 a.m.-midnight. Vikki Shapiro, a 22-year-old Russian pianist, studies at the Academy together with her husband Vadin and sister Natalie. Says Vikki, "The Academy has very good teachers and the instruments are far better than those we had in Russia." She adds, "We've been accepted very well here, but are not sure how we'll manage when help from the Ministry of Absorp- tion runs out." Vikki has written to her musician friends and has developed what Tabor-Pintz calls "The Leningrad Connection," as more and more Russians from Leningrad arrive to study at the Academy based on Vikki's recommendation. Vikki, her husband and a friend, a recent immigrant who plays the bassoon, have already started their own baroque ensemble. They have played at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, and at various locations in Tel Aviv and Old Jaffa. "We are used to practic- ing very hard in Russia," says Vikki, "so the studying at the Academy is not difficult for us. It's fun to be our own agents, finding jobs and play- ing wherever we choose." Asked how they deal with the language, after only a short ulpan at the Hebrew University, Vikki answers, "We learn Hebrew at the Academy in addition to our studies. Music, however, is an international language and we all understand it." "For a small country, Israel has a high percentage of ar- tistic performers," concludes Mr. Rodan. "But there can never be too many, for the de- mand for musicians of the Academy's caliber is very high. ❑ Family Concert Set At JPM TO ALL OUR FRIENDS From ALBAN'S RESTAURANT HUNTER & MAPLE TELEGRAPH & MAPLE 188 N. Hunter Blvd. Phone: 258.5555 Phone: 258.5788 Fax: 258-DANA \ " -- -"- - ....... „------------The " 6535 Telegraph Rd. Phone: 646-6484 Management & Staff of poi Fine Italian-American Cuisine • Lunches • Dinners • Cocktails \ A family folk concert will take place 2 p.m. April 26 at the Jimmy Prentis Morris Jewish Community Center. The concert, sponsored by the Boaz Siegel Culture Fund, will present pianist In- na Naroditskaya and Aleksandr Chernyak who will play the balalaika, a Rus- sian folk instrument. Wish Their Customers and Friends AdHeapFproy mo and d I Hdevv altohyrldPaRse socviepres, Pasta at Picano's Ma Breads & Desserts Made Daily at Picano's. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT PINO MARELLI Tues., Thurs. & Fri. SUSAN WOODLAND At the Piano Sat. Banquet Rooms Open 7 Days Mon.-Thurs. 11 to 10:30 Up To 100 Fri. & Sat. 11 to 11:30 Off-Premises Catering Sun. 12 to 10:00 Available 3775 ROCHESTER RD • Troy / 1 2 Mile N. of Big Beaver & 1.75 689-8050 ----- -----=--------, moirar ear Awasrar AMOUWWWWW01. - 11111102‘ me. The Management and Staff of Aleksandr Chernyak Ms. Naroditskaya is a piano teacher and accompanist at the University of Michigan at Flint. As a concert pianist she has performed in Russia and the United States. Mr. Chernyak, who has recently arrived from Russia, has had 20 years of ex- perience in conducting and playing the balalaika and many other folk instruments. He has performed as a soloist in major European musical festivals. For ticket information, call Diane Sands, 967-4030. Extends Wishes To Its Customers and Friends For A Very Healthy and Happy Passover 565 E. Larned Open For Lunch & Dinner Serving AUTHENTIC Thai Food and Cocktails 961-7766 Bangkok Club HAPPY PASSOVER t, 11:30 o.m. to 10 p.m. Mon. Thru Thus. • 11:30 o.m. to 11 p.m. Fri. • 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sot. I OPEN SUNDAY 5 p.m. TO 10 p.m. 29269 Southfield Road north of 12 Mile In The Southfield Commons 569-1400 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 81