The Tel Aviv String Trio was founded in January 2023 by three members of the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, who first connected while performing Cavalleria Rusticana at the Israeli Opera. What began as a shared passion for chamber music quickly evolved into a dynamic ensemble dedicated to exploring lesser-known repertoire—including rarely performed trios, unique transcriptions, and works lost during the Holocaust and only recently rediscovered.

In the early months of the war, the Trio brought music to the heart of Israeli communities, performing in schools and outlying areas to offer solace and resilience through sound. Their mission continues today, with regular visits to Rishon LeZion schools where they introduce young audiences to classical music spanning centuries.

Looking ahead, the Tel Aviv String Trio is preparing a series of innovative concerts and is currently commissioning a new work by an Israeli composer—furthering their commitment to both tradition and musical exploration.

 

Victoria Wolf Lewis, Assistant Concertmaster of Israel Symphony Rishon LeZion (Resident orchestra of the Israeli Opera), recently moved to Israel. She previously lived in NYC, performing in ensembles across the United States including New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, American Ballet Theatre, City Opera, Sarasota Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and was Concertmaster of Bare Opera. She received her Bachelor's from Columbia University, and her Master's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

 

Simon Lemberski is the Associate Principal Violist of the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, resident orchestra of the Israeli Opera. Simon received his B. Mus. degree from the Buchmann Mehta School of Music of the Tel Aviv University, where he was selected to be one of the section’s leaders of the academy orchestra in concerts in Israel and abroad. He has played with the Chamber Orchestra of Paris as part of a scholarship he received from the French Friends of Tel Aviv University. Simon is a recipient of the American Israel Cultural Foundation scholarship, which includes a generous loan of a Joseph Lamy bow. His past teachers include Dr. Lilach Lebanon and Gad Kogan.

 

May Endy began studying cello with Luba Rabin at the age of eight. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the Buchmann Mehta School of Music studying with Professor Hillel Zori, and his Master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music in New York with prof. Julia Lichten. He is supported by the Sharet scholarships from The America-Israel Cultural Foundation and by the Ronen Foundation. May won the first prize at the Israeli National Cello competition named after Eran Zoldan, 1st prize at the Buchmann Mehta school ofmusic strings competition and 1st prize at the Fucks chamber music competition of theManhattan School of Music. May plays on an old English cello named Tom Allen and a M.H Andersen bow, loaned to him from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation.

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Avital Handler is the Principal Tuba of the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion, the resident orchestra of the Israeli Opera, a position she has held since 2001. She has performed with Israel’s leading orchestras, including the Israel Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony, Ra’anana Symphonette, and others. As a soloist, she has appeared with the Rishon Symphony, Holon Chamber Orchestra, and Israel Chamber Orchestra.

Her solo album Tuba in the City received critical acclaim, and her work in chamber music is equally notable. She co-founded the Israel Brass Quintet, performing internationally for 15 years. She later formed the Israel Tuba Duo, releasing the popular album Tubalicious and touring the USA, Spain, Holland, and Albania. Their latest album, Sweet for Two, is set for release soon. The duo are AR Resonance performing artists.

Ms. Handler is active in Israel’s film and theater scene, both recording and coaching actors for tuba performances. A dedicated educator, she teaches at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and the Givatayim Conservatory, and gives masterclasses globally—recently in Brazil, the UK, Spain, Albania, the Netherlands, and the USA. She frequently serves as a judge in national and international brass competitions, including as head juror at the 2024 Jeju Brass Competition in Korea.

In 2023, she premiered Trinity in Spain on International Women’s Day. In 2024, she toured the U.S. East Coast, lecturing and performing, and was a guest artist at Canada’s Domaine Forget Academy.

Ms. Handler holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and Psychology from Boston University and a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music. She is proud to be an Eastman Artist, performing on the EBC836.