One of Israel’s most outstanding pianists, Shir Semmel’s international career has taken her to the world’s most prestigious halls where she performed to public and critical acclaim. Hailed as a “wonderful pianist” with “absolute devotion to the music”, “admirable technique” (Globes) and “unstoppable energy and personality” (timesunionPLUS), her performances have been described as “gripping from beginning to end” (The Jerusalem Post) and “getting right under the skin” (Haaretz).  

Semmel has performed extensively as a soloist with orchestras, recitalist and chamber musician at such prestigious halls as Carnegie Hall, Musikverein Vienna, Konzerthaus Berlin, Mozarteum Salzburg, Beethoven-haus Bonn, Merkin Hall, Steinway Hall, Shriver Hall, Lincoln Center, the Jerusalem Theater, Tel-Aviv Museum and many more. First prize winner of several competitions, Semmel has been personally invited by Sir András Schiff to play recitals at central venues throughout Europe. 

An avid chamber musician, Semmel cofounded the Jerusalem Piano Duo together with her brother, pianist Dror Semmel. She has collaborated with renowned artists worldwide, and as a former member of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble ACJW, she performed regularly at Carnegie Hall among other venues, and worked to engage with the community and enhance music education.  

A sought-after pedagogue, Semmel’s students win top prizes and perform regularly worldwide. She is on the faculty of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, where she serves as head of the Chamber Music Program, including the Honors Chamber Music Program. She also teaches at the Israel Conservatory of Music, Tel-Aviv. She has taught in universities in the US, has given master classes in Israel, Europe the US and Asia, and led workshops at the Juilliard School, New York. She serves on the jury of international competitions and collaborates frequently with the Jerusalem Music Centre (president: Murry Perahia) as a faculty member of its programs for outstanding young musicians.  

Born in Jerusalem, Semmel studied with Lena Nemirosky-Wiskind. She graduated summa cum laude from the Jerusalem Music Academy as a student of Alexander Tamir and Asaf Zohar. She completed her Master of Music degree with honors at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music where she studied with Emanuel Krasovsky. She spent four years at the Peabody Institute as a student of Leon Fleisher, and completed her DMA at SUNY Stony Brook under the tutelage of Gilbert Kalish. She has also worked with Sir András Schiff, Murray Perahia and Richard Goode.