If you haven't met Yaniv Dinur, Music Director of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, he'll capture you by surprise.

Yaniv was born and raised in Jerusalem, where he studied piano with his aunt, Olga Shachar, and later with Alexander Tamir, Tatiana Alexanderov, and Mark Dukelsky. He studied conducting with Dr. Evgeny Zirlin and Prof. Mendi Rodan at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance.

In 2007, he moved to the United States to study with Prof. Kenneth Kiesler at the University of Michigan, where he earned his Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting. He also is the Associate Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He will be joining me Thursday, January 10 at 9:10 a.m. on WBSM's Phil Paleologos Show.

The NBSO launches the New Year on Friday, January 11 with “Fima Plays Beethoven,” a great chance to hear renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman, known as Fima to his fans, performing Ludwig van Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto at 7:30 p.m. at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center. Following a brief intermission, the NBSO returns to perform Bartok's Miraculous Mandarin Suite and two delicate works by Lili Boulanger.

Before the concert, the public is invited to a free talk by Yaniv Dinur at 6:30 p.m. in the Penler Space adjoining the Zeiterion.

Yaniv Dinur is warm and personable, humorous and someone who loves life. He's also an accomplished pianist and a passionate music educator who is committed to exposing new audiences to classical music. Tune in!

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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