Singing the Yiddish Folksong with Chaia

Adult Group Class / Voice Program

Learn how to imitate the tone and inflection of unaccompanied Yiddish folksong in this deep dive workshop! Join Chaia, New York-based Yiddish vocalist, as she guides us through the rich tradition of Yiddish vocal music. Together, we’ll listen closely to historic recordings by legendary Yiddish singer Lifshe Schaechter-Widman and examine how her artistry shaped the sound and interpretation of traditional songs. Chaia will guide participants through several of her favorite folksongs from Schaechter-Widman’s repertoire, breaking down the stylistic elements that make these performances so distinctive. We'll explore ornamentation, storytelling through vocal color, flexible rhythm, and the subtle shifts in tone that give Yiddish folksong its expressive character. All vocalists of any level welcome!

Chaia is a New York-based DJ, accordionist, and vocalist. She was raised in the klezmer tradition, mentored by Jewish music pioneers Basya Schechter and Hankus Netsky. She now works closely with Yiddish archives to identify, highlight, and catalog Yiddish material for her electronic work. She has performed widely throughout the Yiddish and electronic scenes, including at The Museum of the City of New York, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Jewish Museum of Berlin, and the NAMM Show. Her work has been featured on NPR, The Lot Radio, Grammy.com, and The Forward. Her debut album, Yiddish Electronic, reimagines 7 Yiddish folksongs, pairing each one with historical samples and contextual commentary.