At what age did you begin playing a musical instrument?
I began playing the violin when I was 5.5 years old after my non-musician parents wanted to develop my hearing, imagination and coordination abilities. The teacher examined me and said I have too good abilities for “just playing the piano” and said – the kid will play the violin. And so it was.

Name an unforgettable moment with the IPO
There are many incredible and funny moments in the orchestra and especially during our tours abroad. The moment I’d like to share with you is in fact a musically moving one for me. A few years ago we played Mahler’s 2nd symphony in Athens. In the last movement of the symphony there is an incredible part for a choir and we hosted a choir from Latvia. The choir’s first entrance is in extremely soft singing (which is often being sung not softly at all…). When we arrived to that spot in the symphony, the choir sang in such soft but penetrating voice that the entire orchestra turned around to understand where this heavenly sound came from. Even now when I think about this moment I get chills.

What do you love to do off-stage?
In my free time I really enjoy spending time with my two little children, playing tennis and especially going to the beach – one of the main reasons to live in Gush Dan in my opinion – the ability to go to the beach whenever you want.

Did you acquire any new skills during the pandemic?
During the pandemic I made an old dream of mine come true, and started hosting a musical podcast called “It’s classical”, in which I’m privileged to host fascinating people and try to understand (together with them) their path of life, and try to connect it to my beloved music world. There’s no doubt that the ability to spare some time from the busy schedule of the orchestra allowed me to make this dream come true, learn an entire world of sound, hosting and conversing with people. I’m so happy that from this lemon called Covid, an incredible lemonade was created.