Itamar Carmeli

Multifaceted pianist Itamar Carmeli began his artistic journey performing as a child actor on the wooden stages of Tel Aviv’s major theatres, while simultaneously developing his musical voice as a pianist, both in the classical repertoire and on the stages of the city’s vibrant jazz scene. These early experiences shaped a unique creative path, defined by his insatiable curiosity and creativity. Currently based in Berlin, he has established himself as a versatile soloist, chamber musician and composer—recognised for his unique artistic imagination and limitless artistry.

He made his professional solo debut aged 15 with the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra in Finland and has since performed at major venues across Europe and North America, including the Pierre Boulez Saal, Mendelssohn Haus Leipzig and Jerusalem Music Centre, and in festivals such as Festival Musikdorf Ernen, Gstaad Menuhin Festival Academy (Switzerland), Arte Amanti Festival (Belgium), Radio Classique Festival (France), Intonations Festival (Berlin), ‘Into the Open’ (Tbilisi), Mannes Sounds Festival (New York), Red Sea Jazz Festival and the Cambridge Jazz Festival (USA). His 2025–26 season includes recital debuts at Konzerthaus Berlin, Vienna’s Ehrbar Saal and Beethoven Haus Bonn.

Carmeli’s musical education spans institutions and mentors of the highest calibre. He is currently studying at Kronberg Academy with Sir András Schiff, supported by the Henle Scholarship from the Horizon Foundation, and was recently selected for Sir Schiff’s ‘Building Bridges’ programme for the 2025–26 season. In addition, he receives ongoing mentorship from Maestro Daniel Barenboim, who supports his growth both as a soloist and chamber musician. His early studies were at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance with Professor Daria Monastyrski, at the Mannes School of Music in New York with Professor Pavlina Dokovska, and he recently completed his bachelor’s degree at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin with Sir András Schiff and his assistant, Schaghajegh Nosrati.

He has collaborated with renowned artists such as Clara-Jumi Kang, Emmanuel Pahud, Elena Bashkirova, Michael Barenboim, Mihaela Martin, Zvi Carmeli, Eliraz Carmeli, Benjamin Schmidt and Thomas Demenga. He is a founding member of the Maroush Piano Trio and has performed with the Pierre Boulez Ensemble and in the Staatskapelle Berlin under Sir Simon Rattle and Cristian Macelaru.

Driven by a passion for bringing people together through music, Carmeli co-founded and serves as artistic director of Momentum, a Berlin-based chamber music concert series held regularly at Kühlhaus Berlin.

Since October 2024, Itamar Carmeli has been studying at Kronberg Academy with Sir András Schiff. His studies are funded by the Henle-scholarship of the Horizon Foundation.