Instant Choir

Testimonials for Instant Choir

“On a lively Saturday night ahead of Chanukah, our sanctuary was filled with music, laughter, and community spirit at Voices of HIWP, where our members of all singing experience levels turned into a joyful flash-choir.

Under the guidance of renowned music educator and choir leader Daniel Henkin, participants began the evening with a warm welcome before breaking into voice parts…In just one rehearsal, each section mastered its part for two pieces, “Amen” and “Al Hanissim.” The evening culminated with everyone reconvening in the sanctuary, where the individual voices came together in a powerful and uplifting moment of four-part harmony.

What a fun evening! It was a great way to come together as a community and work towards a shared goal. I met new people (some fellow altos) and learned some great music. I would definitely recommend Daniel Henkin to synagogues, schools, and families who are looking for a meaningful and enjoyable shared experience.”

- Adina S. (Hebrew Institute of White Plains, NY)

Daniel Henkin facilitated an Instant Choir session at DOROT that was an absolute joy for our constituents, and he is a pleasure to work with. His warmth, experience, and musicality immediately put everyone at ease, as he thoughtfully organized participants by vocal part and guided and encouraged each group. It was beautiful when everyone came together to sing “Lean on Me!”

- Sarie M. – Program Coordinator, Dorot Inc.

Hiring Daniel Henkin as our choir director, to work with a group of people who never performed together, was magical. The performance of the choir at our Gala was a highlight of the evening - one that we won’t soon forget. He was a pleasure to work with and the choir members had a fabulous experience with Daniel at the helm.

- Michele G. (Secretary and VP of Communications - Westchester Jewish Council)

As the Program Director of the Westchester Jewish Council, I had the privilege of working with Daniel Henkin on a very special initiative for our 50th Anniversary Gala. We invited individuals from our member organizations and community to form a “pop-up” choir—many of whom had never sung together before. With only two rehearsals, Daniel brought together approximately 30 participants and guided them in preparing two beautifully harmonized songs for the evening.

What Daniel accomplished in such a short time was remarkable. He created not only beautiful music, but also an atmosphere of warmth, collaboration, and joy. Participants came from different backgrounds, congregations, and organizations within the Westchester Jewish community, yet Daniel fostered an immediate sense of connection and confidence among them.

The performance at our gala was truly extraordinary. The choir’s singing was polished, moving, and deeply meaningful, and it quickly became a memorable and uplifting centerpiece of the evening. In fact, when we later polled our board members, staff, and attendees, the choir performance was overwhelmingly cited as the highlight of the event.

We are incredibly grateful to Daniel for bringing such beauty and warmth to our event, and I would enthusiastically recommend him to any organization looking to create a meaningful and memorable musical experience.

- Donna B. (Program Director, Westchester Jewish Council)

Daniel came to our community and, over the course of a single weekend, took us from having no choir at all to beautifully performing a piece of music together. Many of us entered the room tentatively -- without singing experience or confidence in our musical ability -- but in short order we were fully engaged. As we sang, the tension dissolved. We found ourselves laughing, connecting, and gaining confidence in using our voices in front of one another.

One fellow participant told me that singing collectively was something she had always wanted to do, and that she had “never had more fun” in synagogue. Daniel created a deeply connective experience for our community. He guided us with a steady confidence that we could achieve more than any of us thought possible, offered multiple ways to help us understand the mechanics of the music, and conducted us with the conviction that what we were doing mattered -- because it truly does.

- Elliot O. (Cong. Beth David, Greensboro, NC)

When I grow up (I am 68 years old), I want to be able to so effortlessly harmonize, and to help others harmonize, as Daniel Henkin did this past weekend. He brought together 21 of us from our shul, many who have never been in a choir, and with 3 rehearsals we became a mighty “Instant Choir" that was enjoyed by the congregation at Shabbat services - twice. The experience was delightful, and I am still happily singing my part, 2 days later. I also had the pleasure of singing next to my son, when we discovered that we both are tenors!

- Gail B. (Cong. Beth David, Greensboro, NC)

It was wonderful singing at Beth David in Greensboro NC in the instant choir. Considering only having a few rehearsals and some people never being in a choir before it went very well. Daniel Henkin was fantastic. He kept us moving but was still kind and brought in humor as well as excellent training.

- Pete H. (Cong. Beth David, Greensboro, NC)