Cantorial School
The goal of the Cantorial School is to train men and women to become cantors who will be a living resource of the varied aspects of the Jewish musical tradition – with mastery of the melodies and chants for Jewish prayer, and of the music for home, school and community. This mastery, coupled with the ability to impart and inspire, includes the contemporary modes and sounds, which resonate with today's generation. Upon completion, graduates of the Cantorial School, are ordained as "Hazzan and Teacher in Israel," and receive a Masters Degree in Jewish Sacred Music. This requires solid background in Jewish learning, including full proficiency in the Hebrew language. Also required are sound musical and vocal skills. Successful completion generally requires five years of full-time study, with part-time study options available. Intensive coursework is undertaken in the areas of Cantillation, Contemporary Repertoire, Judaica, and Nusach; additional training in professional skills includes courses such as "Music of the Life Cycle," "Conducting Ceremonies," and the "History of Jewish Music." Cantorial students are also individually coached by a practicing cantor during each semester of their studies. A Masters thesis is required for ordination.

The Greenfeld Cantorial Library of Jewish Music
Cantor Judy and Michael Greenfeld have given the Academy a grant of $25,000 in order to establish the Greenfeld Cantorial Library of Jewish Music. The Library will become an invaluable physical and programming resource for cantors, soloists, musicians, students and laypeople interested in the richness of Jewish music. The spiritual leader of Los Angeles’ Nachson Minyan, Cantor Greenfeld received her ordination from the Academy in 2004 and is a member of its Board of Governors.

For those interested in donating funds and/or Jewish music-related resources, please call Cantor Greenfeld at 818-789-7314 or the Academy office at 310-824-1586.