Why become a cantor as opposed to a pop singer or opera singer or something else?
I did my undergraduate degree in vocal performance and music education at the State University of NY College at Potsdam, Crane School of Music. (Isn’t that the longest university name ever?) When I was in school, there was a very small Jewish population. I became more and more involved in Jewish leadership. Soon after graduating while I was teaching public school, I was deciding what to pursue a master’s degree in. And the things that interested me — which included teaching, singing, counseling, and creating community — were all encapsulated in the cantorate. So the things that had been planted in my mind at 13 re-emerged ten years later. You enjoyed being at HUC? I did. I think there are few times in your life where you get to totally immerse yourself in the things you are interested in. That’s what I did. It was not the easiest road because it’s not a typical graduate program. You’re really taking almost 17 credits a semester, Monday through Thursday, and then working at an internshi
