with Ben Schnitzer
What happens when you grow up singing in shul, but realize you’re gay? What is it like growing up in a home where your father knows Yiddish, but won’t speak it to you? How can people reconcile seemingly incongruous parts of themselves and become whole? Through music, of course. Join Schnitzer as he shares his story of how I came to terms with my identity as a gay Jewish man through the power of music. I’ll be sharing personal stories and some of my favourite musical selections – from Yiddish song to cantorial classics. Musical studies and opera adventures have led Schnitzer to Vancouver, New York, Italy and Germany, where he was a guest artist at the Konzerthaus Berlin for two seasons. Ben has also sung with the Sarah Somer Chai Folk Ensemble and Eitz Chayim Synagogue – both in Winnipeg. Now living in Ottawa, Ben enjoys singing with Opera Lyra Ottawa, the Ottawa Festival Chorus and the Ewashko Singers.
