New York, NY – (June 26, 2012) – Violinist and producer Miri Ben-Ari brought down the house last night when joining President Barack Obama last night for special performance in support of his campaign for re-election. The Israeli-born Grammy winner took the stage at the historic Boston Symphony Hall to perform to a sold-out crowd of 1,800 people where she performed a handful of original material, including her acclaimed “Symphony of Brotherhood” featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Miri, whom Obama called an “outstanding talent,” was delighted to be an advocate for the President’s re-election.
“It was a great honor to support President Obama and his vision to move the country forward. I moved to America from Israel without my family, without money, I hardly spoke English; I had my violin and a dream. Supporting President Obama gives me the chance to support this American dream,” she says.
Miri Ben-Ari is also the CEO and co-founder of Gedenk (“Remember”), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness among young people about the Jewish Holocaust.
The fundraising reception does not mark the first time Miri Ben-Ari has shown her support for President Obama. In 2011, Miri performed at the White House at a women’s mentoring event hosted by Michelle Obama, who had invited 22 remarkable women from different walks of life to mentor and inspire young students.
About Miri Ben-Ari
A Grammy Award-Winning violinist originally from Israel, Miri Ben-Ari has created her own unique sound by a revolutionary fusion of classical style with jazz, R&B and hip hop. This classically trained musician has helped sell millions of records by collaborating with other Grammy award-winning artists such as Kanye West, Jay Z, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Wynton Marsalis, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, Patti Labelle, Brandy, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson and John Legend. She studied under the late classical master Isaac Stern and has earned the honor from New York’s Apollo Theater as an Apollo Legend. She is also known as The Hip Hop Violinist, the title of her latest album (Universal Records).
Miri was honored as an “International Jewish Women to Watch” in 2007, she received the 2008 Israel Film Festival Visionary Award, the American Society for Yad Vashem 2011 Young Leadership Associates Remembrance Award and is the first Israeli to receive the Martin Luther King Award from Israeli President, Shimon Peres. In 2011 Miri Ben-Ari was invited by America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama, as a “Remarkable Woman” Mentor to be a part of the annual celebration of Women’s History Month and to perform at the White House.
