The Key from Spain: Sephardic Songs with Susan Gaeta and Howard Bass

Susan Gaeta (vocals, guitar) and Howard Bass (lute, guitar) of Trio Sefardi will share the music of their mentor, Bosnian composer Flory Jagoda, known as the "Keeper of the Flame" of Sephardic music. Participants will be invited to join in singing some of her songs and will hear songs from other Sephardic sources, with context and historical information from this rich culture with roots extending back to 15th century Spain. Lyrics, translations, and musical scores will be provided as examples from Susan's "Sing Her Songs" program. This project may be previewed on her website here.

Susan Gaeta is an important member of a new generation of musicians who are exploring the rich and varied traditions of Sephardic music. Susan lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for eight years, where she performed classic jazz and traditional Argentine folk songs. Under the auspices of the 2002-2003 Folk Life Apprenticeship Program of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, Susan completed studies with National Heritage Fellow, Flory Jagoda, composer, singer and musician known as the "Keeper of the Flame" of Sephardic music, with whom she performed for many years. Susan is now herself a master artist for the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, and has been mentoring Gina Sobel, a talented singer and flutist. She has appeared at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, at the Greater Washington Folk Arts Festival, the Holocaust Museum, before numerous Jewish and inter-faith communities and in historic concerts in Istanbul and Sarajevo. She performs nationally as a soloist and is a member of Trio Sefardi. Her recording, From Her Nona’s Drawer, traces the evolution of the authentic a cappella women's Sephardic vocal tradition that Flory learned from her grandmother to Susan's interpretations of the composer's more contemporary pieces.

Howard Bass is a founding member of Trio Sefardi and was also a founding member of the early and Sephardic music ensemble, La Rondinella, which recorded three CDs for the Dorian label. For three decades he performed and recorded with mezzo-soprano Barbara Hollinshead and he was the guitar accompanist for Sephardic singer-composer Flory Jagoda for many years. In addition to three CDs with Barbara Hollinshead and four with Trio Sefardi, Howard has performed and recorded with HESPERUS, the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Folger Consort, the Baltimore Consort, and the Choral Arts Society of Washington, among others. Howard was a program producer at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the National Museum of the American Indian for three decades before retiring at the end of 2010.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.