Israeli clarinetist Itay Dayan is considered one of today’s most promising voices in klezmer music. Itay brings together various influences, creating a sound that cherishes tradition while exploring new musical frontiers.
His album, "Hoffman's Farewell", demonstrates that direction exactly, and was recently chosen by WBUR as one of the best local albums of 2024.In 2026 Itay will release an album of original music called "Only Questions for Now".Itay played with various groups such as the Klezmer Conservatory Band, Meitar Ensemble and the Israel Klezmer Orchestra, with which he has toured internationally.
While studying for his M.Mus at New England Conservatory and his B.Mus at the Jerusalem Academy of Music, Itay won scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, Ronen Foundation, Ima Foundation, and the Zvi and Ofra Meitar Family Foundation. Notably, Itay is a recipient of the Siday Fellowship for Musical Creativity by the Jerusalem Institute of Contemporary Music, and of the Peter Row Global Musician Award.