What is TIMPO?
Music belongs to everyone.
TIMPO stands for Temple Israel Music Programming & Outreach. It is Temple Israel’s music initiative to bring music to our congregation through classes, ensembles, and other creative opportunities.
We will send you updates about future classes and you will receive early bird access to registration.
LEARN
Fall 2025 Classes at TIMPO
Adult Beginner Guitar
Thursdays in the Fall from 6-6:45 pm, starting August 14th
Join Music Director Emily Groff Heilborn for an adult beginner guitar class at Temple Israel, starting August 14th and ending December 18th. Whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or looking to brush up on the basics, this class is perfect for you. Open to anyone in the community, both members and non-members, you’ll learn foundational skills, like chords and strumming techniques, in a welcoming and supportive environment. Sign up today and start your musical journey!
- Member Early Bird Price (Through May 10th, 2025): $50
- Member Price AFTER May 10th, 2025 : $60
- Non-Member Price: $108
The three adult/beginner-level TIMPO classes I took (Music Theory & Composition, Guitar, and Piano) were paced optimally for the intended audience. Our teachers masterfully generated joy in discovery and held our interest while leaving no one behind, facilitating our learning with compassionate engagement and encouragement. The contents and materials of instruction left us all able to continue learning on our own, a practice I continue, and for which I’m ever grateful to Emily Groff Heilborn, Nick Heilborn, and Natalia Vanegas Escobar.
Gordon Ginsberg
TIMPO Private Lessons Program
Temple Israel offers private music lessons through Temple Israel’s Music Program, TIMPO, open to anyone in the Memphis community. These lessons, led by passionate and experienced instructors, cater to a wide range of students, from pre-school children to adults (age restrictions apply for certain instruments).
General Information
- Days of the week: Wednesday and Thursday
- Total number of lessons a semester: 13 for Fall Semester, 15 for Spring 2026
- Time frame: 4 PM – 6 PM
- Location: Wendy and Avron Fogelman Religious School wing, second floor TI
Pricing (Fall)
- Total cost would be 13x lesson cost plus a program fee of $36
- Lesson Costs
- 30-minute lesson: $30
- 45-minute lesson: $45
- 60-minute lesson: $50
- Total costs
- 30-minute lesson: $426 ($30×13 + $36)
- 45-minute lesson: $621 ($45×13 + $36)
- 60-minute lesson: $686 ($50×13 + $36)
- The program fee is non-refundable
Pricing (Spring 2026)
- Total cost would be 15x lesson cost plus a program fee of $36
- Lesson Costs
- 30-minute lesson: $30
- 45-minute lesson: $45
- 60-minute lesson: $50
- Total costs
- 30-minute lesson: $486 ($30×15 + $36)
- 45-minute lesson: $711 ($45×15 + $36)
- 60-minute lesson: $786 (50×15 + $36)
- The program fee is non-refundable
Instruments
Violin/Viola
- Ages: 4+
- All Levels
Piano
- Ages:
- 1st grade – Adult
- All levels, lesson lengths vary by age
Drumset
- Ages: 6+
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Guitar
- Ages: 7+
- All Levels
For more information or to register for classes, email Emily Groff Heilborn at emilyh@timemphis.org.
My kids have always loved learning music, and the ease, comfort, and familiarity of having talented, easy-to-work-with instructors at Temple Israel make private lessons an absolute no-brainer for our family!
Mary Kanowitz
PERFORM
Register for the TI MEMPHIS JEWISH CHOIR
- Open to 18+ and all skill levels
- Weekly rehearsals on Thursdays from 7 – 8 PM
The choir is a vocal ensemble for those who want to sing in community with others, develop their singing ability, and experience the diverse and beautiful world of Jewish music. Led by David Schnell, a Memphis-based vocalist and teacher, the TI Memphis Jewish Choir will be a part of various Friday Night Services and musical events that happen at Temple and in the community.
EXPERIENCE
Performances
Come hear our incredible TI ensembles! Known performance dates listed below:
August 22, 2025 – B’yachad Family Shabbat
September 5, 2025 – TI Band Shabbat
October 2, 2024 – TIMPO Music Hour
October 17, 2024 – TI Band Shabbat
December 19, 2025 – Shabbanukkah
January 9, 2026 – B’yachad Family Shabbat
January 30, 2026 – Shabbat Shira, Kol Zimrah
March 6, 2026 – Ti Band Shabbat & Women’s History Month
April 10, 2026 – B’yachad Family Shabbat
April 26, 2026 – TIMPO Fest
TIMPO Sessions
TIMPO Sessions are concerts and musical performances held at Temple Israel. These events aim to bring together community members with an interest in music and position Temple Israel as a key music venue in East Memphis. The sessions will feature a variety of genres and include receptions after each performance.
Dates TBD
Meet Emily Groff Heilborn
Emily Groff Heilborn joined the Temple Israel clergy team in the Fall of 2022 as the Temple’s first Music Director. Born and raised in Miami Beach, Emily moved to Tennessee to study at Vanderbilt University, earning a Bachelor of Music and Master of Education in Instrumental Music degrees. Before coming to Temple Israel, Emily taught music in Metro Nashville Public Schools. She also led services and other music programs in the Nashville Jewish community, including the Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, JCC, Vanderbilt University Hillel, and Jewsic City (a monthly Shabbat experience for young adults).
Emily has always been passionate about creating and nurturing community through music, especially Jewish music. As a camp and youth song leader in the Reform Movement, she has mentored and taught young musicians in camps, youth conferences, and communities. Through her teaching, song leading, and songwriting, Emily seeks to make music accessible to everyone – listeners, creators, and performers. She released her debut EP “Breathe” in 2021 and has written several camp theme songs.
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