Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz is the Senior Cantor of Am Shalom. Ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music, she has an extensive background in secular and liturgical music, as well as Jewish and Israel education. She holds a Master of Sacred Music from HUC-JIR, a Master of Music from The Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music from University of Michigan, both in Voice Performance. Cantor Markowicz is a proud member of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC), Reform Cantors of Chicago (past president), Actors Equity Association (AEA), and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA).
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Cantor Julie Staple is excited to be the first Associate Cantor of Am Shalom. Ordained in the spring of 2018 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in New York, Cantor Staple holds a Master of Sacred Music from HUC-JIR, and a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies with minors in Music and Folklore/Ethnomusicology from Indiana University.
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Ken Smith (Accompanist), has been pianist and organist at Am Shalom since 1982. A native of Louisiana, Ken received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano from Indiana University, studying with Sidney Foster. In 1992, Ken joined the faculty of the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University as a vocal coach, retiring in June 2014. He has performed as both accompanist and soloist in concert engagements all over the world with such organizations as the Arcadia Chamber Music Society of Japan, the Naked Voice Institute (Chicago), the Bel Canto Foundation (Chicago, Italy) with luminaries of the operatic world such as Renata Tebaldi and Carlo Bergonzi. Since 1987, he has been an accompanist for the Metropolitan Opera Auditions (Central Midwest Region). He is a frequent lecturer on German Lied, focusing primarily on the works of Hugo Wolf.
Noah Plotkin (Percussionist) is the Founder and Music Director of Life Rhythms Inc. Raised in Highland Park, Noah is a World Percussion Musician, embracing multiple styles of music from jazz, world, funk, rock, soul and pop. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he has collaborated with many notable institutions including The Martha Graham Dance Conservatory in NYC, Hubbard Street Dance Company of Chicago, Sala Crisantempo School of Dance in Sao Paulo, Brazil, The Amsterdam Theatre School of Dance, Lou Conte Chicago and Northwestern University School of Dance. A private drum set/percussion teacher, music educator and impressario, Noah has shared his spirit, talent and love of music with Am Shalom since 2014.
Dr. Orna Arania (Conductor, Cantorial Soloist) earned both her Master and Doctor of Music degrees in voice and Opera Performance from Northwestern University, and was trained as a conductor and singer in her native country of Israel. She performed as a soloist with Distinguished Concerts International Orchestra New York, The Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra, Elgin Symphony, Lima Symphony, Illinois Valley Symphony, to name a few, and with Israel's leading orchestras and ensembles. Orna sings with Bella Voce ensemble and was a singer and assistant conductor of The Lakeside Singers. She is a tenured Associate Professor of Voice at Northern Illinois University. Whether conducting Am Shalom's adult choir Koleinu or leading T'filah, Orna loves sharing her unique expertise in music, Judaism, and Israel with Am Shalom.
Kara Bershad (Harp)
Ben Manis (Cello)
Allison Zabelin (Violin, Viola)
Eric Perney (Harp)
Am Shalom is proud to be a member of the Union for Reform Judaism.