AJ Music Festival

Cantor Abbie Strauss

Cantor Abbie Strauss is a renowned composer, multi-instrumentalist, and recording artist, with her works being enjoyed worldwide. Abbie founded the music school, The Institute of Jewish Rock and Judaism: Inside Out, driven by her desire to bring all people together as one in love and joy through music. She is a proud member of the Grammy's Recording Academy and an advocate for the arts. With a Master's in Education, Abbie has spent two decades creating musical communities in synagogues, religious schools and Jewish summer camps. She excels at engaging diverse age groups and utilizing music to foster community growth. Abbie is very active in the greater music community with programs such as the Healing Arts Project, performing for local hospitals and nursing homes. She also hosts the shows Sing Your BlesSings on JKids Radio and Shir Chadash through the Cantors Assembly. Abbie has recorded 6 albums available on all streaming platforms. Her fresh sound takes music to new heights.

Michael Hunter Ochs
In addition to his considerable success as a versatile songwriter in the world of pop music, he is also universally recognized as one of the most respected creators of contemporary Jewish music. He'll join Cantor Strauss on the bimah at Adath Jeshurun to play keyboards and add his vocals to the concert.

Alexander Mikhaylovsky
Alexander Mikhaylovsky began his violin studies in his native Ukraine at age 4. More recently, he has worked as Orchestra Director with the Miami-Dade Public Schools and Miami Beach Academy of Performing Arts. He brings to the AJ bimah his extraordinary musical talent as a violinist.

Juan Etchegorry
Juan Etchegorry is a percussionist from South Florida with thirty plus years of experience in Pop, R&B and Latin music. He has recorded and performed in Nashville, Disney World, The Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, Hawaii, England, Barcelona, Uruguay & Curacao.