PHX Reporter

Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is preparing for a significant event this Thursday, December 12, as the college's newly formed Klezmer Ensemble performs at the Black Box Theater on the Union Hills campus. The ensemble consists of nine musicians from across the valley and will feature PVCC's Mishy Katz, who will debut her original Hanukkah song.

"This project sort of fell in my lap, and I couldn’t be more excited about this collaboration,” said Katz. She has been studying music at PVCC for several years and first recorded her song in October. "I am so grateful to be a part of this and to have met all of these wonderful people,” she added.

The collaboration has become an important moment for both Katz and the ensemble. After sharing her song demo with PVCC music professor Bradford Knight, Katz was encouraged to work with Dr. Keith Kelly, Coordinator of Music Humanities and Performance at PVCC. Dr. Kelly suggested including local musician Max Schwimmer and members of the PVCC Klezmer Ensemble in the project.

“Mishy’s Hanukkah song came to us pretty fully formed, so it was very easy to come up with instrumental parts and put everything together in just a few rehearsals,” Schwimmer explained. “I am really happy that we could put a little bit of a Klezmer spin on the tune."

The concert is also a result of a new course in Klezmer music offered through PVCC’s Fine and Performing Arts program. Taught by Schwimmer, the course explores Klezmer music's cultural history and performance techniques.

Dr. Chris Scinto, division chair for Visual and Performing Arts at PVCC, described it as “a perfect fit for PVCC’s mission.” He noted Schwimmer's efforts in creating the curriculum, recruiting students, and sourcing study materials.

"This experience represents a milestone for me," Schwimmer stated. "Traditional Klezmer music is one of the greatest gifts of Jewish culture to the world."

Dr. Kelly expressed pride in offering diverse musical experiences at PVCC: “The feedback has been incredibly positive - an awesome experience with a great teacher who has provided them with opportunities to perform both on and off campus.”

Following Thursday's concert, the ensemble will perform again at the Arizona Jewish Historical Society on December 15.

For further details, visit PVCC’s Visual and Performing Arts Department website.