What is TIMPO?
Our philosophy is 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
2024-25 Classes at TIMPO
FALL 2024 CLASS
Adult Beginner Guitar
Thursdays, 6-6:45 PM at Temple Israel
Are you interested in learning guitar? Have you played guitar before but want a refresh on the basics? In Beginner Guitar, taught by Music Director Emily Groff Heilborn, you’ll learn the basics of guitar to get you playing your favorite songs!
- Ages: 18+
SPRING 2025 CLASSES
Side-by-Side Piano
Time TBA
Join us for a unique bonding experience with our TIMPO Side-by-Side Piano class! Instead of waiting outside during your 4-6-year-old’s piano lessons, sit alongside them and learn together. Taught by Music Director Emily Groff Heilborn, this class is a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to develop a new skill side-by-side!
- Ages: 4-6 yo + parent
Adult Beginner Piano
Time TBA
Discover the joy of music with our Adult Beginner Piano Classes at Temple Israel. You’ll learn the basics through a delightful mix of secular and Jewish melodies. Perfect for both first-timers and those rekindling their piano skills, these classes promise a journey of musical discovery and lifelong enjoyment.
- Ages: 18+
TIMPO Private Lessons Program
Beginning in Fall 2024, Temple Israel will offer private music lessons through Temple Israel’s Music Program, TIMPO. 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: 15
- Time frame: 4 pm – 6 pm
- Location: Wendy and Avron Fogelman Religious School wing, second floor TI
Pricing
- 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)
- Program fee is nonrefundable
Instruments
Violin/Viola
- Teacher: Dario Oliveira Santos
- Ages: 4+
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Woodwind
- Teacher: Fernando Martinez
- Ages: 6th grade +
- Clarinet
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Saxophone
- Beginner, Intermediate
- Flute
- Beginner
Piano
- Teacher: Natalia Vanegas Escobar
- 1st grade – 4th grade
- 30 minute lessons
- 5th grade – 9th grade
- 30 minute lessons
- 45 minute lessons
- 10th grade – Adults
- 30 minute lessons
- 45 minute lessons
- 1 hr lessons
Drumset
- Teacher: David Malone
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Brass
- Teacher: Cassidy Shiflett
- Ages: 6th grade +
- Times: On Thursday can only teach up to 5:30
- Trumpet
- Beginner, Intermediate
- Horn
- Beginner, Intermediate
- Trombone
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Euphonium/Baritone
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Tuba
- Beginner, Intermediate
Guitar
- Teacher: Noel Medford
- Ages: 6+
- Beginner, Intermediate
For more information or to register for classes email Emily Groff Heilborn at emilyh@timemphis.org.
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
TI Band, TI Teen Band, TI Memphis Jewish Choir
Come hear our incredible TI ensembles! Known performance dates listed below:
TI Band:
August 9th, 2024 – TI Band Shabbat
October 12th, 2024 – TIMPO Music Hour
December 20th, 2024 – Shabbanukkah
February 2nd, 2025 – Shabbat Shira
March 14th, 2025 – Purim Shabbat
April 27th, 2025 – TIMPO Fest
TI Memphis Jewish Choir:
December 20th – Shabbanukkah
February 2nd – Shabbat Shira
April 27th – TIMPO Fest
TI Teen Band:
April 27th – 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.
Questions? Email Emily Groff Heilborn, Music Director, at emilyh@timemphis.org.
In case you missed it!
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