Misha Segal

After studying music with Israel's foremost composers-Paul Ben-Haim, Noam Sherrif and Isaac Sadai-as well as film and philosophy at the Tel Aviv University, Misha apprenticed under composer Dieter Schöhnbach in Germany; studied composition and conducting at the Guildhall School of music in London; then graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Misha also took composition seminars with Leon Kirchner at Harvard and studied one year at CUNY taking the Doctorate course in composition. As composer, songwriter, producer and recording artist, Misha helped redefine popular, theater and film music in Israel, garnering numerous #1 hits and awards. His classical compositions were performed by the Israeli Philharmonic and the Israel Chamber Ensemble. Although all of this occurred over a very short 5 years period, Misha's impact was so great that he became one of the leading figures in Israeli culture. IN 2008 he was nominated for the 'Israeli Oscar'(Ophir). Misha is also an Emmy award winner and an Emmy Nominee. His score for Phantom of the Opera won the Brit award. His score for Mooz-lum awarded him a Black Reel nomination. In the US Misha's career began in New York where he wrote, arranged, orchestrated or produced such artists as Luther Vandross, Maynard Ferguson, Phyllis Hyman and Dave Grusin. Upon moving to Los Angeles, he signed with Motown as composer/songwriter and scoring Berry Gordy's last movie - The Last Dragon. As a recording artist, Misha's first CD, Zambooka, was endorsed by Quincy Jones and Bob James and featured legendary artists Chick Corea and Freddy Hubbard. His next CD, Connected to the Unexpected, was picked up by most college stations in the US and enjoyed heavy rotation on the top NAC stations across the country. Don't Say It's Over, produced and co-written by Misha, features vocalist Randy Crawford. This CD spent three weeks at No. 1 on the NAC charts. When Misha isn't making music, he likes to cook and sample fine wines from around the world. He also enjoys flying single engine planes.