Yuval Ron Ensemble

News!!
Join The Yuval Ron Ensemble on an Exclusive
Cultural Musical Journey of
Andalusia, Spain
May 31 - June 11, 2010

Please click for:
Itinerary (pdf)
Terms & Pricing (pdf)
Registration Form (pdf)

Booking To book The Yuval Ron Ensemble please contact: Cadence Arts Network Rachel Cohen, president 310-838-0849 rachel@cadencearts.com
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About Yuval Ron
World-music artist, composer, producer, educator and peace activist, Yuval Ron works internationally in film, television, dance and theater. Among his many honors, he was invited to perform for the Dalai Lama, for Pir Zia Iniyat Khan (Head of the Sufi International Order), and has produced albums of Turkish master-musician Omar Faruk Tekbilek. In 2006, Yuval won an Oscar for the musical film,West Bank Story, and in 2004 received the Los Angeles Treasures Award. He is the recipient of prestigious grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, American Composers Forum, California Council for the Humanities and the Rockefeller Foundation, among more. Yuval has lectured throughout the world in universities such as University of California Los Angeles, John Hopkins University, Middlebury College, Brandeis University, MIT, Berklee College of Music, Pittsburgh University, Texas University in Austin, University of California San Diego, and the Jerusalem Film School in Israel. Yuval is the musical director and oud player for The Yuval Ron Ensemble, which includes Arabic, Jewish and Christian artists who unite the sacred music traditions of Judaism, Sufism and the Armenian Church into an unusual mystical, spiritual and inspiring musical celebration. Independantly and through his work in music, Yuval Ron actively promotes peace and goodwill. For more information please see Yuval Ron's Bio page here.
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Presenters' Testimonials
"I was completely transformed by your music. It took me to spiritual places in my soul and our collective Soul that I had not known before I experienced your amazing music. Thank you and your ensemble members, all brilliant as you are, for a life affirming experience." – Lori Kizzia, Director of Peace and Justice, All Saints Church, Pasadena, CA
"(The Yuval Ron Ensemble)'s gift to all of us... is one of deep spiritual truth. Truth that the music transcends language, culture, differences, to touch the shared core of the human spirit...the Ensemble is able to evoke the human commonality felt through music, that spirit-lifting connection....human communication and connection (that) surpasses the intellect and ego, it goes to the center, to that which is infinite, perhaps divine, in us all." – Mel Hamel, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, Fresno, CA
"It was AWESOME. The kids loved it...the Ensemble was great. The classes were wonderful and the performance was terrific." – Brett Carroll, Choirs Director Burbank High School , Burbank, CA
“ The evening performance was mesmerizing. Yuval is a gifted communicator and his ensemble was comprised of high caliber musicians and singers.” – Denise Nelson Nash, Vice President of Public Affairs CalTech, Pasadena, CA
"You and your band left Indianapolis a better town because of the good vibes you generate." – Charlie Wiles, Director International Interfaith Initiative, Indianapolis, IN
"...a fabulous evening last night, had the busiest evening of the year in our cafe, and have been receiving raves from our audience. Most importantly, last night provided a ray of light.." – Elissa Schein, Director of Public Programs Museum of Jewish Heritage, New York, NY
"... the lecture was great and that the students had an insightful discussion afterwards, bringing in themes of orientalism and religious diversity.......The concert also provided a catalyst for critical thinking around questions of cultural representation. From all accounts, we not only met, but exceeded the anticipated student learning outcomes." – Lauren Stuart Muller, Chair, Interdisciplinary Studies City College of San Francisco, CA
"... the Yuval Ron Ensemble mesmerized a crowd of over 500 people at Benaroya Hall. The Ensemble brought to Seattle the gift of what is possible: friends making music together across boundaries that too often seem impenetrable. Yuval Ron Ensemble Delights with Music, Dance and Hope for Peace" – Susan K. Hogan, Director of Marketing and Communications School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University, WA
" ...your concert was music, performance, liturgy, dance, deep spirituality all presented in a holistic way." – Jack Olive, Ascociate Dean for Ecumenical Relations School of Theology and Ministry, Seattle University, WA
" A majestic and most enjoyable performance...Indeed, your music was most enjoyable and refreshing." – Elin Suleymanov Azerbaijan Consulate, Los Angeles, CA
" a terrific and moving performance yesterday. The students I spoke to afterwards loved it and were really inspired. We were honored to have The Yuval Ron Ensemble perform on campus and what a positive response they got from the students." – Jasamin Rostam-Kolayi, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of History, California State University, San Marcos, CA
“… coming together of people from the three main Middle Eastern religious groups in a peaceful way is a gift. Not only the Yuval Ron Ensemble members are role-modeling, they are giving people a chance to come together in a safe space so that they can start to deal with people from other religions in a non-stereotypical way.” – Dr. Sally Childs-Helton, Butler University, IN
" The concert was fabulous, The ensemble got a standing ovation." – David Ortiz, Arts and Lectures Coordinator California State University, San Marcos, CA
“ Yuval has such a remarkable presence, which draws people in and, like a magnet, holds their every bit of attention. The performances were stunning. It was a wonderful event, a true ‘happening’!” – Dr. Richard Braun, Chairman The Jewish Music Commission Los Angeles, CA
“… the music performed by Yuval Ron was food for the soul…” – Eisha Maison, Peace Ministry, Agape Church
" A powerful and deeply moving afternoon...the music and dance filled the space and the emotions welled up through the trees and out to the top of the building...into the universe for good will, peace, and harmony." – Judy Mitoma, Director World Festival of Sacred Music, Los Angeles, CA
" It was clear to me as well that something very special transpired. I am grateful that such a performance could take place at the Museum." – Linda Duke, Director of Education UCLA Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, CA
“ Truly, the concert, that lovely 2 hours of joyful, spirit-filled prayer/song and dance between people was the perfect ending to an incredible experience.” – Sharon M.K. Kugler, University Chaplain Johns Hopkins University
"Yuval Ron and friends are refreshing like an oasis in the desert." – John H. Rauch, President Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity
“… an exceptional concert, filled with honest emotion and superb musicianship… evocative and transformative music.” – David Kates, Ex. Director Jewish Music Commission, Los Angeles, CA
" People were really touched, even moved, by this concert...this kind of thing doesn't happen every day. And every day, every time that it does, is special and something to treasure." – Titus Levi, Assistant Professor of Communications USC, Los Angeles, CA
" The audience was clearly mesmerized by the combination of cultures and styles that were blended together in the show…" – Dr. Mark Levine, History Department UC Irvine, Los Angeles, CA
"...incredible, amazing....it was a devine treat..." – Martin Issacson, Artist, Teacher UCLA and Ventura College
"a mystical and wonderful evening" – Daniel Faraldo, Actor, Writer
"the concert was more than magnificent! This was the best concert I have ever seen, and the huge crowd agreed. It ws like traveling to the Middle east. So invigorating and inspiring. I especially enjoyed the Pakistani harmonium player--he is a fascinating showman." – Judith Fine-Sarchielli, Chef, Art Teacher
"MERCI for a beautiful concert, I loved it, and I loved the whirling dervish. Thank you for a special evening." – Allegra Pesenti, Curator Hammer Museum, Los Angeles
"I thoroughly enjoyed your concert last night and my friend and I listened to the CD this morning. It is beautiful. Some old favorites and some new material. All in all, a rich and wonderful evening." – Marilyn Gttschall, Professor Whittier College, Whittier
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Press Articles
Ensemble Encourages Unity with Diverse Music, Dance Performances Erica Goff, Fairbanks Daily News - Miner, 04/17/09
Strumming the Sephardic Soul Joey Leichman, New Jersey Jewish Standard, 02/13/09
The Yuval Ron Ensemble with Dervish Aziz The Fake Angeleno, 09/29/08
Yuval Ron Ardent Observations, 05/08/08
Faun Finley, News & Record, 1/6/08
"Yuval Ron Ensemble brings unity to Shannon Center" Melisa Miller, Quaker Campus, 2/21/2008 "Middle Eastern Musicians to Cross Culture Lines for UCLA Event" Kiran Puri, Daily Bruin (UCLA), 5/18/2007 "A Lesson in Harmony: Peace Through Music" Susan Jacobs, Jewish Journal, 10/21 - 11/3/2005 "We are the World: Music Unites at Brandeis" Karen Campbell, Boston Globe, 10/20/2005 "Crossing Borders with Music" Jonathan Fischer, The Justice, 10/18/2005
Mira Tweti, Orange County Jewish Life, 07/2005
"Message to the World" Karen Lindell, Star Free Press, 8/5/2004 "Making Music, Not War" Karen Lindell, Star Free Press, 6/19/2003
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Residency Brochures
Brandeis University UCLA Yale University

Concert Programs The ensemble is currently performing three different programs as follows:	back to top
program 1: The Mystical Music of the Middle East The Yuval Ron Ensemble includes Arabic, Jewish and Christian artists who come together to unite the sacred musical traditions of Judaism, Sufism (Islamic mystical tradition) and the Christian Armenian Church into an unusual musical celebration. Composer and world-music record producer Yuval Ron imparts the ancient and deep interÌcultural connection between these three traditions and the musical influences they share. The concert features songs of Sufi origin from Turkey, Jewish prayers from Morocco, Yemen and Israel and Armenian chants. With the addition of the colorful guest dancers this program is a feast for the senses!
program 2: The Lost Soul of Spain Music and Dance of the Sephardic Jews Hebrew, Arabic and Ladino songs from the Golden Age of Spain - a time in which Jews, Muslims and Christians created harmony in Andalusia. Woven in between the songs are travel stories and personal anecdotes of the life and culture, out of which grew the fruit of Sephardic music.
program 3: Seeker Of Truth The Yuval Ron Ensemble performs the ecstatic music of the mystical Sufi traditions of Middle East and Pakistan with the Whirling Dervish Aziz. The concert features the magnificent vocals of Najwa Gibran — acknowledged as one of the finest female Arabic singers living in the West — and special guest Sukhawat Ali Khan, a master qawwali (devotional) singer from Pakistan. A pioneering endeavor in bringing together the Middle Eastern and South Asian vocal and musical traditions into a new exhilarating trance-induced accord.
program 4: The Legend of the Baal Shem A concert of devotional music and mystical story telling. From the Hassidic tradition, a Kabalistic influenced story about having children, the magic of prayer and finding true love! In the 18th century, the Baal Shem Tov founded the Hassidic movement and is considered one of the great mystic sages of all time. This is one of his most magical & beautiful stories! The concert features Klezmer music along with devotional music from the Middle East and a guest dancer.
program 5: The Music of the Bedouins Stories and songs from the Bedouins tribes of Sinai desert (Egypt) and the Negev desert (Israel). The concert includes field recordings done in the desert dunes, stories of travels with the Bedouins and a discussion of their relationship with women, nature and with the Israelis and Egyptians who control their tribal land. In addition to Bedouin music, the program includes Jewish and Arabic songs influenced by the Bedouins folk songs.
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Video Clips


Seeker of Truth	Fes Festival on CNN	A Time for Peace

Alla Hou	Dror Yikra	Under the Olive Tree

Armenian Music	Jewish/Palestinian Music	Sufi Music

Interview - Yuval Ron