Polina Shepherd

Erfurt Yiddish Summer Weimar concert
2021-07-25 16:00 - 19:00 UTC
Official start of YSW at the BUGA (Federal Garden Show) in Erfurt
July 25, Sun 3 p.m. @Parkbühne, Egapark Erfurt
Opening of Yiddish Summer Weimar 2021 at BUGA Erfurt Yiddish Summer Weimar (YSW) has been a guarantor of great Yiddish music and culture in an intercultural context for over 20 years. As a global learning community, YSW attaches great importance to the social dimension of its project. In 2021, the YSW will move its opening to Erfurt and offer an afternoon with international artists, music, stories, projects, surprise guests and interaction with the audience. The show will include The Wandering Stars Song Project
Patrick Farrell (USA/D) – piano, accordion
Craig Judelman (USA/D) – violin
Sveta Kundish (D) – voice
Sasha Lurje (D) – voice
Polina Shepherd (GB) – voice, piano
Lorin Sklamberg (USA) – voice, accordion, piano
Under the artistic direction of Dr. Alan Bern, the YSW today stands on four pillars: education, research, presentation and recreation in the field of Yiddish and related cultures. International projects such as the Caravan Orchestra & Choir (with Haifa), the Kadya Youth Choir (with Tel Aviv-Jaffa), the Yiddish operas “Di Megile fun Vaymar”, and “Bas-Sheve” (Paris and Lodz) as well as numerous new productions complement the work of the YSW and carry the reputation of Weimar and Thuringia as a hotspot of Yiddish culture into the world.
Event link

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Yiddish Song; Dig deeper. Take it further. A course for The Workers Circle 5
2021-07-08 18:00 - 19:30 UTC
Yiddish Song; Dig deeper. Take it further.
The Workers Circle (New York) ONLINE Register here

24, 29 June, 1, 6, 8 July. 6 – 7.30pm UK time, 1 – 2.30pm New York

This practical course focuses on the very core of the Yiddish Song: phrasing, modes, language twists, ornamentation, harmonies, singing styles and where it all comes from. We will look at the golden thread between the oldest simple folk songs to newly composed sophisticated originals.
What makes a song sound traditional or modern, how do we relate to old songs and how has our perception changed in recent times? The context of these songs has drastically changed and so have we. So what’s next? Let’s sing, let’s hear, let’s keep moving forwards.
We will learn Yiddish songs and make them our own, some with 2-3 part harmonies.
All singers are welcome, although you will need to be able to follow written music and / or be prepared to learn by ear.
Led by Polina Shepherd
Register here
Related Images:

Yiddish Song; Dig deeper. Take it further. A course for The Workers Circle 4
2021-07-06 18:00 - 19:30 UTC

Yiddish Song; Dig deeper. Take it further. The Workers Circle (New York) ONLINE 3
2021-07-01 18:00 - 19:30 UTC
Yiddish Song; Dig deeper. Take it further. Register here
The Workers Circle (New York) ONLINE

24, 29 June, 1, 6, 8 July. 6 – 7.30pm UK time, 1 – 2.30pm New York

This practical course focuses on the very core of the Yiddish Song: phrasing, modes, language twists, ornamentation, harmonies, singing styles and where it all comes from. We will look at the golden thread between the oldest simple folk songs to newly composed sophisticated originals.
What makes a song sound traditional or modern, how do we relate to old songs and how has our perception changed in recent times? The context of these songs has drastically changed and so have we. So what’s next? Let’s sing, let’s hear, let’s keep moving forwards.
We will learn Yiddish songs and make them our own, some with 2-3 part harmonies.
All singers are welcome, although you will need to be able to follow written music and / or be prepared to learn by ear.
Led by Polina Shepherd
Register here
Related Images:

Yiddish Song; Dig deeper. Take it further. A course for The Workers Circle 2
2021-06-29 18:00 - 19:30 UTC

In Russian Беседа онлайн.
2021-06-25 17:00 - 19:00 UTC
ОНЛАЙН через ZOOM

Полина Шеперд – певица, композитор, руководитель хоров, педагог.
Наша гостья закончила Казанскую Государственную консерваторию по классу теории и истории музыки. Начинала концертную деятельность в 1990-е как певица, аранжировщик и пианистка в первом в пост-советской России клезмерском ансамбле “Симха” (Казань, Россия).
Специализируясь в адаптации поэзии на Идиш к новым музыкальным композициям она активно работала в России и во всем бывшем Советском Союзе, а также в США с её еврейским вокальным квартетом “Ашкеназим”. Программный директор Международного Еврейского Фестиваля в Москве в 2005-2006гг. В 2003 году переехала в Великобританию, где продолжила деятельность как музыкант в сфере World music.
Объединенные единым брендом The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience вокальные проекты Полины включают в себя многосоставные хоры, вокальный квартет, дуэты, соло. Полина руководит четырьмя хоровыми коллективами в Великобритании: двумя идишскими и двумя русскими.
Полина постоянно гастролирует по миру как певица, в её концертных списках – города бывшего СССР, Европы, США, Канада, Бразилия. Очень часто она выступает в дуэте со своим мужем, инструменталистом Мерлином Шепердом, исполняя традиционную восточно-европейскую еврейскую музыку, перемежая ее с современными влияниями и балканскими ритмами.
Регулярно преподаёт в SOAS London University и University College London.
Подключиться к конференции Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87429507992
Идентификатор конференции: 874 2950 7992
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Yiddish Song; Dig deeper. Take it further. A course for The Workers Circle 1
2021-06-24 18:00 - 19:30 UTC

Merlin & Polina Shepherd Duo concert online
2021-06-06 19:30 - 21:00 UTC
Polina and Merlin Shepherd concert for Beit Klal Yisrael, London – ONLINE
Duo website

BKY will be holding a special fund-raising concert from 7:30pm on Sunday 6th June.
Back by popular demand, Klezmer duo Polina & Merlin will bring the music of Eastern European Jews to a special place. They defer to traditions and build on those wonderful elements. Composing original material based deeply on an age-old aesthetic, language and culture, they educate, entertain and enlighten!
Zoom links will be sent to all ticket holders. We will invite guests in from 7:15pm
Tickets can be purchased here

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Sing with Me online session
2021-06-03 18:30 - 19:15, 2021-05-31 18:30 - 19:15, 2021-05-27 18:30 - 19:15, 2021-05-24 18:30 - 19:15, 2021-05-20 18:30 - 19:15, 2021-05-17 18:30 - 19:15, 2021-05-13 18:30 - 19:15, 2021-05-10 18:30 - 19:15 UTC and 2 more dates
Sing with Me Russian & Yiddish Song Sessions Online are open to everyone. Join here. Project page.
Twice a week 10.30 am PDT / 1.30 pm EST / 6.30 pm UTC / 7.30 pm CET
We have a lovely group of people joining from USA, Brazil, Iceland, Canada, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and other corners of the world. Join us, it’s good for you!

Mondays – Yiddish, Thursdays – Russian songs in 40 – 45 minute sessions.
A new song in every session.
Learn about cultural context and style.
No knowledge of languages is needed.
Song sheets are shown on the screen during sessions.
Session videos are posted on Youtube.
Come to as many sessions as you like.
Payments are appreciated but you can also join free of charge.
A Zoom link for each session, printable song sheet with music, lyrics, translation and transliteration appear on the project page minimum two hours before the session.

Monday 3 May – SWM 111 – Yiddish song
Thursday 6 May – SWM 112 – Russian song
Monday 10 May – SWM 113 – Yiddish song
Thursday 13 May – SWM 114 – Russian song
Monday 17 May – SWM 115 – Yiddish song
Thursday 20 May – SWM 116 – Russian song
Monday 24 May – SWM 117 – Yiddish song
Thursday 27 May – SWM 118 – Russian song
Monday 31 May – SWM 119 – Yiddish song
Thursday 6 May – SWM 120 – Russian song
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The Sound & Light Cinematic Duo. Silent film w/ live music online
2021-06-02 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | Online
JMI Online: The Sound & Light Cinematic Duo – Five Brides

Wednesday 2nd June 2021 | 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm UK time
Performing as Jewish musicians would have done in the early days of cinema, Merlin and Polina Shepherd will play Jewish music to accompany this silent film. Their playing acts as the perfect foil for these amazing historic documents. With their deep training, musical experience and by using tradition musical pieces and stylistically accurate new compositions, these films are magically brought back to life almost a century after their first screenings.

More information here: https://www.jmi.org.uk/event/5brides/

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A Besere Velt Spring Concert Boston - online concert
2021-05-15 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Join us at Singing for a Better World virtual concert! Enjoy the lively music of A Besere Velt Yiddish chorus & guest artists Polina Shepherd, Lorin Sklamberg, Daniel Kahn, Anthony Russell, and Judy Bressler in an inspiring concert to keep on moving forward towards a better world.
We’ll weave new and classic Yiddish songs with visions of justice and freedom. There will also be exquisite guest artist performances, solo and in collaboration with A Besere Velt, as we look towards a brighter future together. The concert will premiere on YouTube with live chat.
Sliding scale ticket prices. Learn more and get your tickets today: https://www.circleboston.org/abetterworld

This worldwide broadcast will weave new and classic Yiddish songs with visions of justice and freedom. There will also be exquisite guest artist performances, solo and in collaboration with A Besere Velt as we look towards a brighter future together. The concert will premiere on YouTube with live chat. Scroll down for artist and honoree bios.

Ticket Pricing

Circle Supporter: $108 – $1,080
Full-price ticket-holder: $36 – $108
Young adult / low-income: $18 – $36

Your financial support will help Boston Workers Circle continue to provide vibrant and accessible community and social justice programming. Due to the pandemic, this is the second-year in a row that we have been unable to host an in-person concert. Please consider donating generously for your ticket to this virtual concert if you are financially-able. Enjoy the music of our wonderful Yiddish chorus and friends while supporting Boston Workers Circle!
If you are unable to make a contribution now but would like to attend, please reach out to bethany@circleboston.org and we will try to match you with a sponsor for your ticket.

Polina Shepherd is an internationally renowned performer, bringing traditional Yiddish songs up to date with passion and a haunting soul deeply rooted in east European Jewish folk sound.

Lorin Sklamberg is lead singer of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics, a leading exponent of Yiddish song and traditional Jewish vocal techniques with a crystalline, expressive sound.

Daniel Kahn is a Detroit-born, Germany-based troubadour and translator who combines Yiddish, English, German, and Russian in a radical mixture of Klezmer, lyrical folk ballads, dark cabaret, and political punk.

Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell is a classically-trained vocalist, composer, and arranger specializing in Yiddish song, ranging from classic art song to eclectic cafe repertoire.

Judy Bressler is a third-generation performer from the family of Yiddish theater luminaries Menashe Skulnick and Lucy Gehrman. She has been a leading voice in the revival and continuation of Yiddish music and a founding member of the Klezmer Conservatory Band.

A Besere Velt – A Better World – is proud to be a “voice” for justice. This 80-member community chorus of the Boston Workers Circle Center, conducted by Derek David, weaves the heartache and irrepressible idealism of Yiddish folk music into a vision of justice and humanity for the 21st century.

MORE INFORMATION HERE: https://www.circleboston.org/abetterworld
Programme: Singing For A Better World Programme
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Yiddish harmonies in style for The Workers Circle (New York) ONLINE 10
2021-05-12 18:00 - 19:30 UTC
3 March – 12 May – online choir
Yiddish harmonies in style – The Workers Circle (New York) Choir

Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:30 pm NYC / 6 – 7.30pm GMT.
Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24 Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28 May 5, 12
New and traditional songs in 2-4 part vocal harmonies will bring us as close to being a choir as singing online can be. Make it sound rich and modern yet with a proper nod to tradition, embellish it with krekhtsn and sing, sing, sing, because it’s good for the spirit. All singers are welcome. Learning with sheet music and by ear. Song sheets with music, transliterations and translations will be provided. Watch a video of our autumn choir course.
More information coming soon.
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Yiddish harmonies in style for The Workers Circle (New York) ONLINE 9
2021-05-05 18:00 - 19:30 UTC

​Intercontinental Yiddish Dance Jam
2021-05-02 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
Join us for a dance party online hosted by Steve Weintraub, a teacher, choreographer, and performer of Jewish dance. Steve will be joined by an international roster of special guests, including Merlin and Polina Shepherd! This is your chance to move with each other in a community across the ocean. And, as this will come right after May Day, I think a little solidarity is in order.

2pm EDT – 7pm UTC+1

DANCERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!
Capitalism is a fiction, but Parnasse is a necessity, so please consider a $5 USD donation per person.
​A dank in faroys!
Please follow this link to make a donation and request a zoom meeting number.
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Yiddish harmonies in style for The Workers Circle (New York) ONLINE 8
2021-04-28 18:00 - 19:30 UTC

Sing For Earth Day
2021-04-22 19:30 - 22:00 UTC
This event is a final one in the 2021 Sing For Earth project after , which includes weekly workshops led from 11 March by a variety of inspiring and experienced songwriters, artists, natural voice practitioners, movement facilitators and environmentalists. Learn more here
Meeting weekly and culminating in our online celebratory event for
Earth Day on Thursday April 22nd. 7.30pm – 10pm.
Polina will be a guest performer in this event with some pagan Russian folk songs about nature.
The project supports environmental initiatives.
Visionary founder of Tree Sisters and Jojo Mehta co founder of The Stop Ecocide Campaign will be some of the Guest Presenters on Earth Day Thursday April 22nd.
​Our shared aims are to cultivate gratitude, support wellbeing, revive joyful connection with each other and nature, helping to strengthen individual and community resilience, to cultivate embodied loving connection with nature as nature, for what we love most, we will protect.
BOOKINGS are open for all the sessions or each one individually including the final event here, with a three tier fee to make it accessible to you: click here to book your place
We are advocating for and supporting these two organiations:
The Earth Protector Communities, a sister organisation set up to support The Stop Ecocide Campaign.
StopEcocideCampaign
Our Earth Day event will be fund raising for Tree Sisters
www.treesisters.org

More about Sing For Earth here.
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Yiddish harmonies in style for The Workers Circle (New York) ONLINE 7
2021-04-21 18:00 - 19:30 UTC

Yiddish harmonies in style for The Workers Circle (New York) ONLINE 6
2021-04-14 18:00 - 19:30 UTC

Sing with Me 110
2021-04-12 18:30 - 19:15 UTC
Sing with Me Russian & Yiddish Song Sessions Online are open to everyone. Join here
PROJECT PAGE
Twice a week 10.30 am California / 1.30 pm New York/ 6.30 pm UK time / 7.30 pm most of Europe

Mondays for Yiddish, Thursdays for Russian songs.
A different song taught in every session, each meeting being 40 – 45 minutes.
No knowledge of languages is needed.
Session info uploaded to this page and shown on the screen during the session.
Videos are posted online afterwards.
Come to as many sessions as you like.
Payments are really appreciated but you can join us free of charge.
A Zoom link for each session, as well as a printable song sheet with music, lyrics, translation and transliteration appears here minimum two hours before the session.

Spring 2021 run
Thursday 11 March SWM 101 Russian song
Monday 15 March SWM 102 Yiddish song
Thursday 18 March SWM 103 Russian song
Monday 22 March SWM 104 Yiddish song
Thursday 25 March SWM 105 Russian song
Monday 29 March SWM 106 Yiddish song
Thursday 1 April SWM 107 Russian song
Monday 5 April SWM 108 Yiddish song
Thursday 8 April SWM 109 Russian song
Monday 12 April SWM 110 Yiddish song + final party
We have a lovely group of people joining from Russia, USA (from Hawaii to New York), Australia, Brazil, Iceland, Canada, France, Germany, Ukraine and New Zealand…
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Sing with Me 109
2021-04-08 18:30 - 19:15 UTC

Yiddish harmonies in style for The Workers Circle (New York) ONLINE 5
2021-04-07 18:00 - 19:30 UTC
