She is especially enthusiastic about soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, the incoming Vocal Chair of The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School. Yacobi characterizes Pieczonka as a “ray of sunshine” and describes feeling a “musical kinship” when working with her. (As it turns out, both of their teachers studied with legendary German soprano Hilde Zadek.) Yacobi also derived a great deal of satisfaction from working with the production team at the Glenn Gould Studio, where she recorded several rarely heard Israeli songs.
Yacobi is equally grateful for the many performance opportunities The Rebanks Family Fellowship Program has afforded her, from concerts at the Canadian Opera Company and The Royal Conservatory’s 21C Music Festival, as well as her Canadian debut in Koerner Hall, performing the Queen of the Night in The Glenn Gould School’s production of The Magic Flute.
However, Yacobi holds a special place in her heart for the many outreach performances she has given throughout Toronto. Particularly stirring was her experience singing for children with complex special needs at Toronto’s Safehaven centre.
“Their eyes lit up through music,” she recalls. Yacobi was struck by their openness to an art form that was new to them. “When someone listens with an open heart, that’s for me the best way of listening.” The experience also reinforced her enduring belief about the universal power of beautiful music. “Music is for everyone. No exceptions.”
Watch Nofar Yacobi's Performances
Johannes Brahms’ Mädchenfluch, with pianist Kevin Ahfat
Mordechai Ze’ira’s Shalechet (Fallen Leaves) arr. Menachem Wiesenberg, with pianist Kevin Ahfat
Sasha Argov’s Hashchena Hachadasha (The New Neighbor), with pianist Kevin Ahfat
The Glenn Gould School is The Royal Conservatory of Music’s internationally recognized centre for professional training in music performance at the post-secondary and post-graduate levels.
Learn More About The Glenn Gould School
Unique in Canada, The Rebanks Family Fellowship and International Performance Residency Program is the one-year postgraduate program of The Royal Conservatory's Glenn Gould School. Created for artists on the cusp of a professional career, it offers a rich curriculum for career development including: private study with exceptional faculty and guest artists; concert presentations and career coaching; and marketing training and support. Each Rebanks Fellow also participates in a funded international residency.
Learn More About The Rebanks Family Fellowship