Hailed as "sensational" and "electrifying" in live performance, Toronto-based vocalist Ori Dagan is a rapidly rising talent. Initially trained in classical piano and theatre, his passion for jazz music drove him out of the University of Toronto's English program and into York University's Department of Music, where he graduated with a BFA in Music in 2007. He has studied jazz singing privately with world renowned jazz artist and educator Bob Mover and at York University with Rita di Ghent, Richard Whiteman, Sundar Viswanathan and Bob Fenton.

Jazz is currently Ori's favourite music to sing, but these days he is also performing Schubert lieder and Mozart arias to enormous satisfaction and excellent reviews. In November 2006, he was awarded the Ron Bonham scholarship at the Newmarket Voice Festival. Previously a pupil of acclaimed Canadian tenor Benjamin Butterfield, he currently studies classical voice with Stephanie Bogle and is a member of the York University Male Vocal Ensemble under the baton of Lisette Canton.

Ori's experiences in music transcend the spotlight; he has attained valuable experiences in journalism, radio and special events production. From 2004-2005 he served as Jazz Director of York University's radio station, CHRY 105.5FM. During this time he was also a contributor for York's Excalibur Newspaper, for which he reviewed concerts, opera, theatre and recorded music. Ori's coverage of Canadian jazz festivals has been published in The Epoch Times International newspaper and on ejazznews.com. He is the founder and current Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly full-colour SOFA newspaper, the official publication of York University's Creative Arts Student Association, CASA.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors CASA and Winters College, Ori served as producer and artistic director of the April 10th, 2005 concert "What a Diff'rence O'Day Made" — a tribute to recently departed Anita O'Day which featured a live performance by this legendary jazz song stylist as well as appearances by various Canadian jazz luminaries including Heather Bambrick, Rita di Ghent and the Laila Biali Trio.

Ori performs regularly around the greater Toronto area. He has made appearances at The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, The Poor Alex Cabaret, Oasis, The Pilot, The Resevoir Lounge, Ten Feet Tall, The Cabbage Patch, Statler's Lounge, Burton Auditorium, Accolade East Recital Hall and The Absinthe Pub & Coffee Shop at York University.

AWARDS

• Ron Bonham Scholarship, Newmarket Voice Festival, November 2006
• IMASCO Performing Arts Award, York University, April 2006
• Nominated for Student Centre Leadership Award, April 2005