Galina Tsuoker: the founder and director of Israel Flowers, a children’s music ensemble in Bat Yam

Galina Tsuoker is the founder and director of Israel Flowers – a children’s music ensemble in Bat Yam. She is a veteran and respected teacher of voice development and classical singing who has been living at Reuth’s subsidized community housing for about a year.

When you ask about her students, her eyes light up with pride. “My students participate in international competitions and win prestigious prizes,” she says.

Galina immigrated to Israel from Russia in 1999 with 25 years of experience as an outstanding voice teacher. She began working with children aged 6-12 at a conservatory in Bat Yam. At the end of that first year, she was already working with 28 children. She later founded Israel Flowers – a music ensemble that currently has about 70 members, ranging in age from 4 to the late teenage years. The group puts on performances in different languages and musical styles.

In addition to Galina, four others educators teach at the school. They are dedicated professionals who, in Galina’s words, invest all their time and energy into promoting excellence in music education despite their very modest salaries. The children sing and perform in different languages, but are most comfortable singing in Hebrew.

Galina is planning to open another vocal studio in the Beit Barbour community center in Tel Aviv.

One of Galina’s star students is Michelle Montal. In 2022, she won the Grand Prix at an international singing competition in Italy. In recognition of her exceptional abilities, Michelle also received an award from an international foundation that enables her to study under some of the world’s most respected voice teachers.