.
He also co-directs the Shir Tze'ir Jewish Teen Choir of Alexandria, VA and is teaching Confirmation classes at
Agudas Achim Congregation in
Alexandria.
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Adrian
is Director of Educational
and Congregational Life at
Bethesda Jewish Congregation,
working with Spiritual leader and Kol Bo, Hazzan Sunny Schnitzer. His
(more than) tripartite role there combines the various tasks of religious school
director, synagogue management, along with musical and liturgical activities.
He also co-directs the Shir Tze'ir Jewish Teen Choir of Alexandria, VA and is teaching Confirmation classes at
Agudas Achim Congregation in
Alexandria.
Adrian plays piano for the monthly first
Friday Kolot
Shabbat musical services at Beth
El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria, VA., where he
served as Director of Education until assuming his role at Bethesda Jewish
Congregation. He performs and accompanies around the greater DC area with
diverse groups including the Kol NoVa-the Jewish Community Youth Choir of Northern Virginia
and the Olam Tikvah Chorale, both under the direction of
Carol Boyd Leon.
Adrian is co-producer, editor, arranger and accompanist on the 70 song songbook and 2-CD collection from Carol, entitled Gan Shirim, published by KTAV.
From 1997 to 2001, Adrian edited Bim Bam, a weekly fax newsletter for Jewish teens produced by Torah Aura Productions. Adrian returned as Bim Bam editor for the 5765 (2004-5) school year and was the editor of the retargeted C.Ha. through 2007, when it was retired from publication
Adrian has served as an instructor for the Introduction to Judaism Course offered in Northern Virginia by the Union for Reform Judaism (nee UAHC) Mid-Atlantic Council.
Adrian served as Conference Chair for CAJE 27, held from August 4-8, 2002, at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas. He has served on the national Board of Directors of CAJE (the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education). He was co-chair for the evening program at the 26th annual CAJE conference, August 5-9, 2001 at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, reprising a role he played for CAJE 23 in San Antonio. He is well known in the contemporary Jewish music scene. He has accompanied Fran Avni, Debbie Friedman, Sam Glaser, Nancy Linder and other Jewish artists.
Adrian coordinated musical entertainment for the Washington Jewish Folk Arts Festival, December 2003, November 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Adrian is also the perpetrator of the Hanashir email discussion list for Jewish songleaders, singers, songwriters, music educators, etc. and also manages the affiliated Hava Nashira web site. In addition he performs Jewish music with various artists.
Prior to moving to the DC Metro area, Adrian was teacher of Judaica and Hebrew (1st and 2nd Grade) and Music (K-6) at Nashville's Jewish Day School, Akiva School. He served as Music Director at Congregation Micah, Brentwood, TN. And he was on staff at Camp Davis of the Gordon JCC of Nashville.
Adrian writes a weekly musing on the parashat hashavua which can be found on his musings page and in his musings archive.
Adrian is a native of New York City, graduate of the Bronx High School of Science ('73), and holds a BFA in theatrical production and management from the School of Design & Production of the North Carolina School of the Arts ('77). He is also an accomplished musician and pianist, having studied 14 years pre-college first at The Juilliard School and then the Manhattan School of Music. He received his Master of Theological Studies degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School in May 2000.
Adrian now works full-time in Jewish Education, Music & Drama. Prior to this, he spent a significant number of years working in theatrical production and management. His theatrical production experience covers the full spectrum - producer, director, designer (lighting, scenery, and audio), stage & production manager, technical director, musical director, et al. Adrian managed performing arts centers in Elkhart, Indiana (1981-88) and Fargo, North Dakota (North Dakota State University's Festival Concert Hall) (1988-98.) He also worked as a freelance designer and production generalist. In Fargo Adrian also served as Music Director and as Director of Religious Education for Temple Beth El.
In the late 70s, Adrian spent several years as a member of a Dixieland band, The New Dixie Zing Kings, which performed and appeared in Mobile, AL; New Orleans, LA; and Clearwater, FL.
Summer 2000, Adrian taught theatre camp and served as Drama specialist at the Nashville JCC's Davis Summer Camp. In summer 1999 he also worked at the JCC camp, teaching theatre, community service and circus camps. The previous two summers he was the Media Specialist at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute Camp, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
Adrian is a member of NATE (National Association of Temple Educators) and the GTM (Guild of Temple Musicians)
Adrian lives in Boyds, Maryland.
Adrian is available for hire as a solo performer, pianist, lecturer, songleader, workshop facilitator, accompanist, musical director, consultant, theatrical designer or manager. See the Services for Hire page to find out about the many Musical Services, Jewish Education Services, Theatrical Services and PowerPoint Presentation creation services available.
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About Me Things I Like
People I Admire My Computers & Software
My Musical Equipment
Check out my General/Judaic Resume with theatrical and Judaic activities, and my Theatrical Resume. I have also started to add pictures of some of my lighting and scenic designs.
Magazines and Newspapers I Read:
Television Shows I Watch with Some Regularity (in no particular order)
Things I Don't Much Care For:
(Split Rock Lighthouse, Minnesota)
Go to Top My Computers & Software My Musical Equipment
People I Admire and Who Have Made a Difference in My Life:
Software I Use and Like:
Pocket PC Software I Like:
Software No Longer Around I Really Liked
My Studio and Musical Equipment
Send Me a Message: Adrian A. Durlester
Last Updated 04/26/08