For Yoni, music has always been more than a profession. It is a deep and core element of his spiritual life and personal Jewish practice. Besides his extensive work as a synagogue musician, Yoni has also experienced profound and holy moments leading Jewish chanting with “Shemantra” and performing the original songs of Zach Mayer. From 2021-2022, Yoni was a part of Hadar’s Rising Song Fellowship, where he joined an international cohort of Jewish musical leaders envisioning new ways to cultivate spiritual life through song. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Yoni was named the first ever Community Creative Fellow, an initiative by the Jewish Arts Collaborative and CJP in Boston, which enabled the development of his debut solo album, Fragments. As a member of the Nava Tehila community in Jerusalem, and then subsequently on tour as their violinist, Yoni has witnessed again and again how communal singing can powerfully transform community and foster spiritual connection.

Since getting his first oud at age 16, Yoni has been fascinated with Arabic music and the music of his Iraqi Jewish family. At Brandeis, Yoni began studying Arabic classical music more seriously, working with artists such as Layth Sidiq, Jamal Sinno, and Mal Barsamian. He also enrolled in related courses in Arabic language, Ethnomusicology, and peace-building. He further deepened his grasp of this music while attending the Arabic Music Retreat with Simone Shaheen and while studying at the Middle Eastern Music Center in Jerusalem. While living in Israel, he played with the Hibba Orchestra and Jerusalem East West Orchestra, through which he collaborated with Israeli all-stars such as Ehud Banai, Kobi Oz, Shai Tsabari, Avihu Medina, Yair Dalal, and Ben Snof. Since returning to the U.S., Yoni has been deepening his repertoire of Piyutim (Jewish liturgical poems), working with artists such as Galeet Dardashti and Yosef Goldman and has been writing new melodies in these traditions that he’s come to embody. From 2021-2022, Yoni spent 10 months touring as a cast member and violinist in the Broadway production of "The Band’s Visit,” performing 250 shows in 27 cities across the United States.

At the heart of Yoni’s musical identity lies a deep investment in world music and improvisation. This interest first blossomed as Yoni explored Klezmer, playing with the Nu Haven Kapelye as a young musician. He further developed his knowledge and skills by studying Yiddish Language and Culture as a student at Brandeis. Since then, Yoni has performed with groups like the Israel Klezmer Orchestra, and Di Gasn Trio, as well as world-renowned artists such as Cookie Segelstein and Christina Crowder. He’s also spent years founding and leading his own groups, which culminated in the development of a Yiddish jazz band, Two Shekel Swing. This ensemble has provided Yoni with a laboratory to sing Yiddish songs, try out experimental arrangements, and workshop new compositions. The group has performed across the Northeastern U.S. and Canada at synagogues, festivals and jazz clubs and opened for Daniel Kahn and the Painted Bird during their May 2019 tour. Their first album Pocket Change was recorded in the Fall of 2019.

Yoni is a classically trained violist, with a Bachelor's from Brandeis University and Master's from Boston University. Since completing his degrees, he has appeared with several orchestras and chamber ensembles, such as the New Haven Symphony, Boston Philharmonic, Juventas Ensemble, and ALEA III. Yoni is also the core violist of VSNY, a mixed chamber group that performs new works alongside celebrated masterpieces. Attracting a diverse audience base, VSNY has received high praise for their casual and accessible concert environment, and their exciting programming. The group has toured extensively in Italy and Portugal, premiering new works by Italian, Portuguese, and American composers. Yoni has helped the ensemble develop and execute a series of highly successful educational programs in Massachusetts schools and at the Bendada Music Festival in Portugal. In 2018, VSNY released “Catalogus Galilei,” a complete album of music by Italian Composer Mario Pagotto, issued on Italian label MEP for international distribution.