Local cantors to perform May 5 at memorial concert
Cantor Cheryl Wunch of Congregation Beth Am is busy preparing for the annual Melanie Karsen Memorial Concert on Saturday, May 5.
The concert opens at 7:30 p.m. and performing with Cantor Wunch is an "A list" of local cantors including Cantor Emeritus Arnold Schultz, Cantors Jennifer Frost and Ross Wolman of Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim "BJBE" (Deerfield and Northbrook) and Cantor Arik Luck of Congregation Beth Emet (Evanston).
In addition, Congregation Beth Am choirs and band will make special appearances and pianist Keith Miller will accompany the cantors.
The concert take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5 at Congregation Beth Am, 225 N McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove.
Advance tickets are: $18 for adults, $10 for seniors and children (under 10). Day-of tickets are an additional $7 for adults and an additional $5 for seniors and children.
To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Lynne Yura at (847) 459-1677 or RabbiAdmin@congregation-betham.org.
Links:
Congregation Beth Am's 7th Annual Melanie Karsen Memorial Concert: http://www.congregation-betham.org/_data/docs/cantors%20concert%205.5.12.pdf
Congregation Beth Am: http://www.congregation-betham.org
Cantor Cheryl Wunch: http://www.congregation-betham.org/CantorCherylWunch.asp
Cantor Jennifer Frost: http://www.bjbe.org/pages/cantor-frost
Cantor Ross Wolman: http://www.bjbe.org/pages/cantor-wolman
Cantor Arnold Schultz: http://www.congregation-betham.org/CantorEmeritusArnoldSchultz.asp
Cantor Arik Luck: http://www.bethemet.org/our-community/whos-who/staff-directory/150-cantor-arik-luck
More about Cantor Jennifer Frost: Cantor Frost began her tenure at B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim "BJBE" in 2006. She was born in Chicago and was raised in Los Angeles where she fostered her love of Jewish music and ultimately led to a Masters Degree in Sacred Music and Cantorial Investiture from HUC-JIR. Cantor Frost is a superb teacher and spent much of the first part of her career working with youth at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in New York. In addition, she has been performing with Soul on Fire, a theatrical concert of devotional music. Cantor Frost has performed and recorded with some of the shining stars of Jewish music today, most notably Danny Maseng, and has been a part of his theatrical performance, Soul on Fire. Having recorded both Soul on Fire and Labor of Love, the group has toured throughout the United States. Cantor Frost is married to Rabbi Richard Prass and lives in Deerfield with their two children.
More about Cantor Ross Wolman: Cantor Wolman joined B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim "BJBE" as the Assistant Cantor in 2011. Cantor Wolman has served at Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Wilmette. He is an exciting young cantor, a master teacher, and talented musician. He currently serves as the president of the Reform Cantors of Chicago and has been affiliated with the Olin Sang Ruby Institute "OSRUI" . Cantor Wolman is also an active leader of Riding4Reform which benefits the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism. Cantor Ross Wolman is originally from Lancaster, Penn. He graduated from Temple University with a BMus in Music Education. Cantor Wolman lives in Chicago with his wife, Malka.
More about Cantor Cheryl Wunch: Cantor Wunch was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She received her Bachelor's degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and her Associate's degree in Child and Youth Work from Humber College in Toronto. Cantor Wunch grew up at Temple Har Zion in Thornhill, Ontario where she eventually became a Religious School teacher, as well as the Youth Advisor. Cantor Wunch discovered her love for Jewish music as a camper and then staff member at the Goldman Union Camp Institute in Indiana. She was the Staff in Training director and Head Songleader at the B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp in Starlight PA, the Head R.A. at the URJ Kutz camp, and camps in Toronto. Cantor Wunch participated as a delegate in the Catholic-Jewish Emerging Leader conference in Rome, Italy.
More about Cantor Arnold E. Schultz: Cantor Schultz has served as hazzan at Beth Am since 1981. Cantor Schultz became our Cantor Emeritus in 2004 and continues to serve in this capacity. The hazzan, besides being a leader of prayer and one of the temple's spiritual leaders, has the responsibility of keeping alive and nourishing Jewish music in this generation. Beth Am appreciates the value and beauty of both traditional and new music and utilize all styles of music in our worship and celebrations." Born and raised in Chicago, Cantor Schultz is married and has two children.
More about Cantor Arik Luck: Cantor Arik Luck joined Beth Emet in 2009, after receiving his Masters of Arts in sacred music and cantorial investiture from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York City. Cantor Luck was the recipient of the Israel Goldstein Award, given to a student who demonstrates the highest degree of fluency in traditional worship music. He brings expertise in both Reform and traditional worship styles, as well as in piano, guitar, percussion, and theatre directing and production. Cantor Luck received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting and musical theatre from Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama. Cantor Luck gained a wealth of cantorial experience, including serving at Temple Beth Shalom in Arnold, Maryland, and at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, Illinois. Cantor Luck lives in Evanston, Illinois with his wife and children.
More about Congregation Beth Am: Established in 1979, Congregation Beth Am is the largest Reform Jewish congregation in Buffalo Grove. Congregation Beth Am, House of the People, offers a strong and loving community dedicated to the enrichment and perpetuation of the Reform Jewish values and teachings. Located in Buffalo Grove, Illinois and serving the Northwest Chicago suburbs including, Vernon Hills, Arlington Heights, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, and Wheeling. Congregation Beth Am offers worship and activities for all ages, complete youth education programming from kindergarten through high school, Mens' Club, Sisterhood, and special guest speakers for adult learners. The Congregation is led by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows. Cantor Cheryl Wunch leads in song and Rabbi Richard Prass is the Director of Education.