Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County
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  • Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County is thrilled to present an evening of exceptional music with internationally celebrated pianist Martin Katz and Benjamin Isyk, a gifted opera singer and recent graduate of the UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance. 

    This benefit concert is a celebration of generosity, as both Martin and Ben have graciously donated their performances to support JFS.

    By attending and sponsoring this event, you join us in supporting critical programs and services that empower individuals, support families, and strengthen our community’s most vulnerable members.

    Event Information

    Saturday, January 11, 2025

    Morris Lawrence Building, Washtenaw Community College

    Registration opens 6:15p.m. 

    Program Recital begins 7:00 p.m.

    Followed by Dessert Reception

Presenting Sponsor

  • Linh and Dug Song

Dessert Reception Sponsor

  • Barbara Stark-Nemon and Barry Nemon

  • Gary and Rachel Glick

  • Pamela and Stephen Landau

  • Susan Fisher

Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County logo
In Support of Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County
Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County is a private non-profit social services agency community founded in 1993. Originally established by the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County to assist the growing number of refugee families in Ann Arbor from the former Soviet Republics, JFS has since grown into an organization providing programs and services ranging from older adult caregiving to resettlement and career services and more.
We are very excited to bring the musical genius of Martin Katz and the beautiful voice of Ben Isyk to Ann Arbor in a concert that will support JFS services supporting the community. Here is more information about these two brilliant performers.

Martin Katz


 “The most musically astute collaborator today.” NY Times 
 “Katz creates the Gold Standard of accompanying.” Washington Post 

 Martin Katz must surely be considered the Dean of collaborative pianists today. His five-decade career has taken him to five continents, consistently in demand by the world’s most celebrated singers to share the recital stage with them. In addition to Mr. Ferguson, he has appeared and recorded regularly with Marilyn Horne, Frederica von Stade, José Carreras, Karita Mattila, Cecilia Bartoli, Kiri te Kanawa, Kathleen Battle, Piotr Beczala and Michael Fabiano, to name only a few. Season after season, the world’s musical capitals figure prominently in his schedule. 

Mr. Katz is a native of Los Angeles, where he began piano studies at the age of f ive. He attended the University of Southern California, and studied the specialized field of collaboration with its pioneer teacher, Gwendolyn Koldofsky. While still a student, he was honored with the unique opportunity to accompany the classes of such luminaries as Jascha Heifetz, Lotte Lehmann, and Pierre Bernac. Following a three-year stint as pianist for the U.S. Army Chorus, he moved to NYC, where his career began in earnest in 1969. 

In addition to his work at the piano, Mr. Katz has also added conducting to his work. He has often partnered his regular soloists from the podium for the orchestras of the BBC, Houston, Washington, DC, Tokyo’s NHK and Miami. He has led complete staged opera productions for San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Merola program and for the Music Academy of the West, as well as his home base, Michigan’s Opera Theatre. 

Finally, the profile of Martin Katz is completed with his commitment to teaching. For four decades the University of Michigan has been his base, where he chairs the school’s collaborative piano program. He has been a pivotal figure in the training of countless young artists—-singers, pianists, and conductors—who are now working all over the world in their chosen field. He is also a frequent guest teacher at Helsinki’s Sibelius Academy, Chicago College of Performing Arts, the New National Theatre of Tokyo, and many other esteemed schools. 

Mr. Katz is the author of a comprehensive guide for accompanists, “The Complete Collaborator,” (Oxford Press), which is widely considered the seminal work on this subject


Ben Isyk


Benjamin Isyk is a 2024 graduate from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Vocal Performance. He recently returned from a short trip in Europe, performing The Music of Auschwitz, with an orchestra from the University of Michigan. Benjamin is currently working towards a Master's Degree in Management at The Ross School of Business.  Last year, Benjamin performed as Bacchus in UofM's production of Orpheus in the Underworld, (by Offenbach,) and as the production was set in the 1950’s, he was given a backup Elvis costume from Las Vegas! Additionally, during his aria ''Viens, Gentille Dame,'' (by Boieldieu,) he included a high D that is not in the score! Benjamin has also performed in a number of opera scenes, recitals, and has had two leading Puccini roles with Cedar Rapids Opera; Rinuccio & Spolleta. While in Cedar Rapids, Benjamin was able to perform on ABC and Iowa Public Radio. As fun as opera has been for Benjamin, his favorite musical moments have been with Martin Katz, in his Art Song and Aria Classes, and now for you, in recital.