Meet our Artist of the Week, the multi-talented Daniella Rabbani-Sirkin, star of our Hanukkah Fiddlin’ on the Roof concert, December 10th at Birdland Jazz Club!
We loved sitting down with Daniella to hear more about her journey as a singer/actress, and now director.
MT: How did you get started?
Daniella: I studied acting at NYU and when I graduated, I got a scholarship to study Yiddish at The Workmen’s Circle. I fell in love with the language and culture and the rest is history. I had the privilege of studying Yiddish Song under my mentor of years, Zalmen Mlotek. I don’t read music, and my background is as an actor, so the process was truly inspired. I don’t know how I slurped up so much music in such a short period. It is my honor to share it with the world.
MT: What drew you to perform in Yiddish?
Daniella: My grandparents were Holocaust survivors and though they never shared their experience in the war, I knew it was my responsibility to tell the stories of their time. My grandmother just passed away at 98. One of the last survivors on earth. I believe it’s on those of us who knew them to share not just the sadness but the joy or their lifetime. There’s so much to learn from this bygone time.
MT: When did you start performing? What was the moment you decided to make it a career?
Daniella: I was born a performer from the start!
MT: Tell us a surprising thing that not many people know about you
Daniella: My directorial debut short film, OMA, inspired by my grandmother’s Holocaust experience is on Amazon Prime.
MT: Who is your biggest influence?
Daniella: My biggest influence is my children. They teach me what wonder is. How wonder-full the world can really be.
MT: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Daniella: I love playing Rabbi Zoe on CBS’ God Friended Me! It’s my fave. But truly, I just feel so lucky to be doing this work. To have performed all over the world and for there to be more exciting artistic endeavors to come.
