High Holydays Musical Guests for 2025
Veronica Beskin
Veronica Beskin has been enriching communities with her powerful voice as a Cantorial Soloist since 2012. She holds degrees in vocal performance and Jewish studies from Tulane University, reflecting her deep commitment to both her musical and cultural heritage. Her versatile vocal talent spans across opera and musical theater to folk music, showcasing her ability to connect with diverse audiences through various musical genres. Beyond her Cantorial work, Veronica is also a certified Health Coach who enjoys an active lifestyle with a dedication to health and wellness. She loves playing the guitar and is dedicated to nurturing young minds through B'nai mitzvah lessons. Veronica continues to be a vibrant presence in sacred music in Atlanta, GA, where she is currently based.
Thomas Foster
Thomas Foster, fortepianist and harpsichordist, performs frequently as a chamber musician, recital soloist, and continuo accompanist. With a special affinity for music of the 18th Century, he has developed an expertise in its performance practice, especially with regard to improvisation.
As a recital soloist on harpsichord, fortepiano, clavichord, and modern piano, Thomas has performed repertoire ranging from the Medieval period to the 21st Century. He has performed extensively as a continuo accompanist in both the U.S. and England.
As a composer, Thomas has seen about 40 original compositions premiered to date. From 2002 to 2006, he was active with the Ethos New Music Society in the performance new music, and in the production of several dozen concerts of new music. He is also an experienced freelance teacher of piano.
Thomas is a Graduate of the Royal College of Music in London, where he was the recipient of the Amadeus Fortepiano Prize and studied with Geoffrey Govier and Robert Woolley. Prior to this, he completed master’s degrees in piano performance and composition at Fredonia State University in NY where he was a two-time recipient of the Victoria Bohlen Memorial Composition Award.
Jing Li
Jing Li, cellist, is hailed as “an outstanding instrumentalist and musician” with “exceptional musicality, integrity, and polish,” cellist Jing Li has performed around the world as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. She has made solo appearances with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Acadiana Symphony of Louisiana, Indiana University Orchestra, Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, and Cuenca Symphony Orchestra in Ecuador. An avid chamber musician, Ms. Li has collaborated with such distinguished artists as Miriam Fried, Donald Weilerstein, Lawrence Wolfe, and the Borromeo String Quartet, as well as participating in internationally renowned festivals including the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, Banff Centre for the Arts, and the Piatigorsky Seminar for Cellists.
Currently based in Boston and New York City, she can be heard performing with A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra, Boston Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera, and Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), as well as with the New York Philharmonic and on various Broadway shows. As a dedicated teacher and chamber musician, she recently joined the Portland Piano Trio and serves as an Artistic Director with 240 Strings, an organization providing free musical education to students unable to afford instruction.
