Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance facts for kids
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האקדמיה למוסיקה ולמחול בירושלים
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Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance,
Givat Ram, Jerusalem |
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Former names
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The Rubin Academy of Music |
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| Established | 1933 |
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Academic staff
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160 |
| Students | 600 |
| Location | |
| Campus | Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem |
| Nickname | JAMD |
| Website | jamd.ac.il |
The Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance (Hebrew: האקדמיה למוסיקה ולמחול בירושלים), often called JAMD, is a special school in Jerusalem. It is a place where students learn about music and performing arts. The school is located on the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Contents
Discovering the Academy's Past
The school started as the Jerusalem Conservatory of Music in August 1933. It was founded by a violinist named Emil Hauser, who was also its first director. His wife, Helena Kagan, helped as an honorary secretary. She was a pioneer in pediatric medicine, meaning she was one of the first doctors for children in Israel before it became a state.
The first principal of the school was Yocheved Dostorevsky. She was a pianist who moved to Jerusalem from Vienna. Later, Israeli composer Josef Tal led the academy from 1948 to 1952.
Early Locations and Growth
At first, classes were held in a building near Kikar Zion in central Jerusalem. As more students joined, the school needed a bigger space. It moved to a rented building called the Schmidt building on Hillel Street.
In 1958, something big happened. Samuel Rubin, who was the president of the Norman Foundation, gave a lot of money. This money helped the school buy its own building on Smolenskin Street in Jerusalem's Rehavia neighborhood.
The new building was officially opened with important people like Golda Meir and Teddy Kollek present. At this event, the school was renamed the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem to honor Samuel Rubin.
Building the Academy's Resources
The same year, the Academy's library was created. Claude Abravanel was in charge of it. For 35 years, he helped the library collect many books, journals, and music scores. This collection is now in the Academy's library and the Israeli music archives, which started in 1988.
Edith Gerson-Kiwi, a music expert, taught music history there in 1942. She studied the traditional music of Jewish communities from the Middle East. With encouragement from Emil Hauser, she started the Phonograph Archives. This archive collected recordings and ethnic musical instruments for the academy.
In 1965, Hassia Levy-Agron started the school's dance department. She was a pioneer in dance in Israel. Later, Israeli conductor Mendi Rodan led the school from 1984 to 1993.
Academic Programs and Degrees
Today, the Academy has 160 teachers and over 600 students. It is an independent school that the Council for Higher Education in Israel recognizes. This council makes sure schools offer good education. The Academy also works with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The school has different departments, called Faculties:
- The Faculty of the Performing Arts
- The Faculty of Composition, Conducting, and Music Education
- The Faculty of Dance, Movement, and Movement Notation
Degrees You Can Earn
Students at the Academy can earn special study programs called degrees:
- Bachelor of Music (B. Mus.): This is for students who want to become professional musicians.
- Bachelor of Education in Music (B. Ed. Mus.): This degree is for those who want to teach music.
- Bachelor of Dance (B. Dance): This degree is for dance students and is offered with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
- Master of Arts in Music (M. A. Mus.): This is a higher-level degree for music students, also offered with the Hebrew University.
High School for Young Artists
The Academy also has a high school. It is located in the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Building in Givat Ram. This building is right next to the Academy's main building. The high school started in the late 1960s. It offers a mix of regular school subjects and special classes in music and dance.
Summer Programs for Musicians
Each year, the Academy hosts a two-week program called the International Summer Institute for Strings. This program is for students who play string instruments like violins and cellos.
The Conservatory: Learning from a Young Age
The Conservatory is a part of the Academy for younger students. It offers music and dance lessons for students starting from age five. Students get to attend special workshops and master classes. These are taught by the Academy's senior teachers. Students also perform as soloists and in groups both in Israel and other countries. More than 700 students are currently studying at the Conservatory.
Famous People Who Studied Here
Many talented people have studied at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Here are some of them:
- Ofir Ben Shitrit (born 1995), a singer
- David Bizic (born 1975), an opera singer
- Natan Brand (1944–90), a classical pianist
- Drora Bruck (born 1966), a recorder player
- David D'Or (born 1965), a singer, composer, and songwriter
- Noga Erez (born 1989), a singer
- Riki Guy (born c. 1975), a soprano singer
- Gilad Atzmon (born 1963), a jazz saxophonist
- Nurit Hirsch (born 1942), a composer and conductor
- Walter Hautzig (born 1921), a classical pianist
- Daniella Kertesz (born 1989), an actress
- Tamar Lalo (born 1989), a recorder player
- Naomi Shemer (1930–2004), a songwriter
- Robert Starer (1924–2001), a composer and pianist
- Edna Stern (born 1977), a pianist
- Ilan Volkov (born 1976), an orchestral conductor
- Yitzhak Yedid (born 1971), a composer and jazz pianist
- Lior Rosner (born 1969), a composer of classical and film music
See also
In Spanish: Academia de Música y Danza de Jerusalén para niños
- List of universities and colleges in Israel
- Dance in Israel
- Music in Israel
- Education in Israel
