So lucky to have had the opportunity to perform at St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids this weekend! I played Schubert’s Impromptu in G-flat Major op. 90, no. 3 (D. 899/3). Thanks to Jordan Waller and Ada Conservatory for the opportunity!
Author: Ezra Donner
Ezra Donner is an American composer, conductor, pianist, and teacher. He serves as Music Director at The Birmingham Temple Congregation for Humanistic Judaism in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and teaches at Ada Conservatory of Music in Ada, Michigan.
Conductor Finalist in The American Prize
Excited to announce that I am a Conductor Finalist (Community Opera Division) in The American Prize! Proud to receive this recognition on behalf of the University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Wish me luck as the judges pick the winners sometime this summer!
Faculty Recital at Ada Conservatory of Music
Honored to have had the opportunity to perform on the Spring Faculty Recital at Ada Conservatory of Music this weekend! We raised almost $1,000 for our scholarship fund to help pay for music lessons for students. I performed the Gershwin Three Preludes for Piano–thanks to Director Jordan Waller Opaski for putting this together and for supporting our students!
Conductor Semi-Finalist in The American Prize for 2017-18
Honored to announce that I am a Conductor Semi-Finalist (Community Opera Division) in The American Prize: celebrating American excellence in the arts for 2017-18. I entered with the Spring 2017 UMGASS production of “The Pirates of Penzance (or, The Slave of Duty)”–wish me luck as we await the announcement of the Finalists sometime this Spring!
Winter Recitals at Ada Conservatory
Feeling very proud of my students at Ada Conservatory of Music after yesterday’s recitals at St. Cecelia Music Center! Congrats to all who performed!
High Holidays at The Birmingham Temple
Just completed my first High Holidays as Music Director of The Birmingham Temple Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. This feels like a real milestone–many thanks to Rabbi Falick, to the Temple staff, and to our fabulous professional and volunteer choirs for their amazing work!
Here are some musical highlights of our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Evening and Morning Services:
New Teaching Position at Ada Conservatory
Feeling so lucky to have begun a new teaching position at Ada Conservatory of Music! Ada Conservatory offers private lessons in piano, voice, violin, viola, guitar, ukulele and bass guitar, and all instructors hold degrees and specialized training in their instruments. The school also offers a wide selection of performance opportunities for all students, including recitals, festivals, masterclasses, studio classes, and competitions.
“Dido and Aeneas” with Chicago Summer Opera
Very proud to have finished a great run of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas with Chicago Summer Opera! The Chicago Summer Opera was established in 2013 to help young artists fine tune their unique skills. Its mission is to provide affordable training to developing singers while providing accessible and high quality performances to the community.
Appointed Music Director at The Birmingham Temple in Farmington Hills, Michigan
It’s official!
I’ve been appointed the new Music Director at The Birmingham Temple Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. My first Shabbat service will be July 14.
The Birmingham Temple was founded in 1963 by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine (1928-2007) and eight families seeking to establish a new temple in suburban Detroit. The Temple offers a warm and welcoming community of people who are committed to exploring the application of Humanistic values in all areas of human experience against the background of a modern and relevant Jewish culture and identity. Consistent with these values, there are no barriers to full participation by individuals or families of mixed heritage.
When I first set foot inside The Birmingham Temple three years ago I could never have imagined what a huge role this community would come to play in my life. Honored and humbled to share that I will be assuming this new post in July!
“The Pirates of Penzance (or, The Slave of Duty)” with University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society
Such a privilege to serve as Music Director again with University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society! Enjoy these photos!
Photos by Marilyn Gouin.
Ezra Donner 