Shahar Elhayani | שחר אלחיאני
Piano | פסנתר
Shahar Elhayani is a pianist currently studying a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, Tel Aviv University, under the mentorship of Dr. Dror Semmel. Born in Haifa, Shahar began playing the piano at the age of 7 and has since distinguished himself in the field through numerous awards and scholarships. Throughout his career, Shahar has been recognized for his exceptional skills and dedication. He has won prizes in various competitions, including the Young Artist Competition and Piano Forever. He is also a scholarship recipient from the Ronen Foundation and the Israel Cultural Exchange Foundation (Keren Sharett - AICF), awarded with honors. His accomplishments include winning first prize at the Concerto Competition in Arad, which earned him a full scholarship from Tsafonot Culture. Additionally, Shahar received full scholarships to the IPM-SEEO program, managed by Pascal Nemirovski, and to a course at the Mannes School of Music, where he studied under Professor Pavlina Dokovska and Richard Goode. Shahar's formative experiences include participation in various masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Dmitri Bashkirov, Gilbert Kalish, and Richard Goode. He has been actively involved in masterclasses with Victor Rosenbaum and Menachem Wiesenberg at the Jerusalem Music Center "Mishkenot Sha'ananim" and has also benefited from subsidies for harmony and theory lessons. In recent years, Shahar has been a consistent participant in the Young Pianists Excellence Program at the Oldwell Institute, where he has studied with prominent teachers including Pavlina Dokovska, Norma Fisher, and Jeffrey Swann. His dedication to the art of piano performance is further evidenced by his regular performances in chamber music ensembles and his work in accompanying light music and jazz. Looking ahead, Shahar plans to pursue a master's degree to further develop his skills as a performing pianist and as a knowledgeable musician. His ongoing journey in music is supported by scholarships from Keren Sharet (AICF), Tsafonot Culture and the Haifa Cultural Foundation, reflecting his commitment to excellence and his passion for music
My relationship to Ronen Foundation
Yaffa Israeli is one of the central figures who has supported me significantly throughout my musical journey. She heard that I play both classical music and jazz, and from the very first moment, she recognized my potential to mix these two worlds. Through her connection with the Ronen Foundation, she opened the door for me to find a place where I could express myself in both genres without feeling the need to choose between them. What was truly special about Yaffa was that she gave me not only a musical platform but also a warm and supportive personal space. She allowed me to express myself in my own way and style while maintaining a high level of professionalism. Additionally, she supported me financially for trips to courses abroad, which opened incredible professional opportunities and enriched my musical development. Thanks to her, I was able to focus on the art itself, knowing I had strong support behind me, both professionally and personally.