Letter from the Department
Welcome to this concert presentation by the Music Program in the Department of Performing Arts. We are delighted to have the wonderful support of great families and friends. A very special welcome goes out to our visitors from the community who may not have any affiliation to our students, and simply come to hear spectacular musical performances by these talented student musicians. We hope everyone in our audience is pleased with the musical selections; and proud of the achievement of the students involved.
The students you will hear at this performance are not music majors. They do this for their love of music and dedicate their time and energy to cultivating their passion for this art form. They are as dedicated to their studies and career pursuits as they are to this intrinsic passion they have within them. The program is fortunate to have a bounty of students with this yearning. We would not exist without them!
The Music Program and Department of Performing Arts is dedicated to providing robust opportunities in the performing arts while students are at Drexel. Our goal is to provide a positive and supportive environment for our students. It is our hope that students and audiences alike feel they are represented in the selections being performed. The human connection is most important to us all.
Thank you for attending this performance. Being here is the greatest show of support for the students, the Music Program, and the Department of Performing Arts. Thanks to the dedicated leadership of the faculty ensemble directors and staff, we are pleased to present you with the following program.
Sincerely,
Luke Abruzzo, Music Program Director Miriam Giguere, PhD, Department Head, Performing Arts
Acknowledgements
The Mediterranean Ensemble would like to thank:
Debra Ruben, Dean of the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Dr. Miriam Giguere, Department Head
Luke Abruzzo, Music Program Director
Hannah Burke, Department Administrator
Ellie Ebby, Administrative Coordinator
Elisha Robinson, Graduate Assistant
Caroline Leipf, Mandell Theater Managing Director
Chris Totora, Technical Director, Mandell Theater
Lauren Tracy, Performing Arts Ensemble Manager
Drexel Performing Arts would like to thank Senior Vice President for Student Success, Dr. Subir Sahu, for his continued support of Performing Arts at Drexel.
About the Ensemble
The Drexel University Mediterranean Ensemble (MUSC 114) is open to any student with an interest in performing music from Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. No previous experience in this music is necessary. All are welcomed in the Ensemble.
Program
The Drexel University Mediterranean Ensemble
Mr. Bruce Kaminsky, Director
Uksudar/Kâtibim ---------------------------------------------
Nessam Alyna --------------------------------------
Que reste-t-il de nos amours -----
Sehnaz Longa --------------------------------------
Hilwa ---------------------------------------------------------
Le Festin ----------------------------------------------
Jaffa --------------------------------------
(C.Trenet and L.Chauliac /French)
(S. Efendi Turkish form) (Zeyne /Arabic)
(M. Giacchino /French)
Kaddish ------------------------------------------------------
Yerusalem Tango -----------------------------------------------------
(Heifetz Turkish/Arabic/Hebrew) (Ravel/Aramaic) (Heifetz)
(S. Kokotas Greek)
Opa Nina Nai ------------------------------------------(Trad., Turkish) (Rahbani Bro./Arabic)
Guest Artists: Joseph Tayoun, Samuel Heifetz, and Cantor Benjamin Greenfield
Ensemble Members
Mr. Bruce Kaminsky
Ensemble Director
Mohammed Al Hasni
Elif Boyaci
Jacob Gazes
Dane Gentles
Cooper Gordon
Milana Kreger
Adam Lazarczyk
Miranda Soriano
Dylan Ugel
Alex Yelovich
Mr. Bruce Kaminsky Mediterranean Ensemble Director
Bruce Kaminsky, M.M. is a bassist and an Adjunct Professor at Drexel University, teaching Music History, Bass and directing the Drexel Mediterranean Ensemble. He also teaches at Montgomery County Community College. He has performed with jazz guitarist Tal Farlow and trombonist Jimmy Knepper, and co-produced performances for Dizzy Gillespie and Chick Corea. He performed for the signing of the Israeli/Jordanian Peace Accord at the United Nations with the group Atzilut. He created the Arab/Jewish music group The Spice Route Ensemble, which does Middle Eastern music education residencies. He designs and manufactures the KYDD electric upright bass sold worldwide, and he holds two US patents. Bruce is married to theatrical costumer Lorraine Anderson and has two children, Jacob and Aviva and a new granddaughter, Adira.
Guest Artists
Joseph Tayoun
Joseph is a world renowned Middle Eastern percussionist and an active part of the great Philadelphia-Lebanese community
Samuel Heifetz
Composer/arranger/pianist/oboist is a Jewish immigrant from Latvia. He is the epidemy of “The American Dream”.
Cantor Benjamin Greenfield
This talented Cantor is at home leading serves at Beth Tikvah B’nai Jeshurun synagogue as he is on the operatic concert stage.
Drexel offers four different music minors:
Music: requires 26 credits, including work in Music Theory, History, private lessons, ensemble performance, and 9 credits of music electives.
Music Theory and Composition: aimed at people who are writing their own music or who would like to begin doing so. You will take courses in Music Theory, Arranging, Composition, and Digital Composition, and end with a portfolio of several completed pieces.
Music Performance: requires two years of private lesson studies with our artist faculty culminating in a recital. The Music Program will provide support for the recital venue and accompanist.
Jazz & African-American Music: includes course work in Jazz History, African-American Music, Jazz Theory, private study in Jazz performance, and ensemble work in several ensembles devoted to jazz.
Support Great Performance
Dance, Music, and Theatre are a vital, central part of the Drexel academia and student life. Donations support performing arts ensembles and programs, as well as the operation of our performing arts venues, including the Mandell Theater and URBN Annex Black Box Theater.
Drexel University Department of Performing Arts Staff
Department Head
Dr. Miriam Giguere
Program Directors
Luke Abruzzo
Music
Nick Anselmo Theatre
Jennifer Morley Dance
Administrative Staff
Ellie Ebby Administrative Coordinator
Hannah Burke Department Administrator
Caroline Leipf
Mandell Theater Managing Director
Elisha Robinson
Performing Arts Graduate Assistant
Liv Shoup
Audience Services Coordinator
Lauren Tracy
Ensemble Production Associate
Production Staff
Paul Jerue
Theatre Production Manager/Black Box Theater Technical Director
Asaki Kuruma
Costume Shop Manager
Chris Totora
Mandell Theater Technical Director
Upcoming Performing Arts Events
JAZZ ORCHESTRA & JAZZTET SPRING CONCERT
June 4 , 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
FUSION BAND AND ROCK ENSEMBLE WINTER CONCERT
March 10, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater
OUTDOOR MUSIC JAM FT: EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE, FUSION BAND, AND ROCK ENSEMBLE
June 5, 2026 | 1:00-4:00 PM | Lancaster Walk
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE SPRING CONCERT
June 5, 2026 | 4:00 PM | Chestnut Square
DREXEL UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SPRING CONCERT
June 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Main Auditorium
GOSPEL CHOIR SPRING CONCERT
June 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Mandell Theater
ALL-COLLEGE CHOIR & CHAMBER BRASS AND WINDS CONCERT
June 6, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Main Auditorium
UNIVERSITY CHORUS & CHAMBER SINGERS SPRING CONCERT
June 7, 2026 | 3:00 PM | Main Auditorium
CONCERT BAND SPRING CONCERT
June 7, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Mandell Theater
Learn more about our upcoming events: drexel.edu/performingarts
