Ilana Cravitz is a London-based violinist and educator in demand as a klezmer fiddler, a caller for klezmer dancing, and an editor and arranger of klezmer music. She has toured internationally and recorded four CDs with the London Klezmer Quartet, a group she co-founded. Her book, Klezmer Fiddle – A How-To Guide is published by Oxford University Press. Ilana also concertises on baroque violin and viola da gamba, and guests with Sephardic and ceilidh bands. Recent ventures include bringing klezmer music to Porto (Portugal), teaching and performing in Sweden, helping to set up a new international Yiddish Summer School in London, and working to build a National Klezmer Youth Orkester.

Ilana has taught klezmer to hundreds of musicians of all ages and abilities, both privately and at venues ranging from folk festivals and community workshops to universities and music colleges. She has been on the faculty of the world’s foremost klezmer festivals, as well as teaching at many other world music, folk and fiddle festivals.

John Macnaughton is a woodwind specialist based in London, specifically interested in exploring traditions from the Pale of Settlement (klezmer and co-territorial), and the Balkans. Current projects include leading Klezmer Foygl (Klezmer Songbird) – a new ensemble featuring some of the UK’s finest Klezmer musicians, and working with Ilana Cravitz to build a National Klezmer Youth Orkester (NKYO). John also co-founded award-winning Klezmer ensemble Oysland (World Music Network, Battle of the Bands, 2017), trad Klezmer trio Loshn, plays traditional Bulgarian/Macedonian music with Raka Balkan Band‘ and was a director and co-founder of KlezMargate Festival.

John has extensive experience teaching Klezmer music, having tutored students at BA and Masters level, and being a faculty member at festivals including KlezNorth (2024, and 2025), KlezMargate (2024), and KlezFest London (2023, 2024, and 2025). He also directed the SOAS (University of London) Klezmer Band from 2015-2019.

Theo Malka-Wishart is regular fixture at London’s best-known jazz clubs. As a bassist he plays with countless artists and bands as well as performing his own original works at renowned venues including Ronnie Scott’s, the 606 and many more. He is also part of London’s rich klezmer scene, playing with bands such as Oysland and Klezmer Foygl, which draw inspiration from the broad history of klezmer music and bring fresh interpretations of the repertoire to their performances. His eclectic musical tastes influence his unique sound, drawing inspiration from sources ranging from early Bebop to Psychedelia and Arabic Qawwali music. Theo has played in venues across the UK as well as touring Mexico, India and much of Europe, and performing across the world in international jazz festivals.

As an educator, Theo has been teaching students of both electric and double bass for a number of years, aiming to instil a sense of both musical and personal independence, stemming from his largely self-taught approach. #klezmer #jazz #doublebass