Hazzan Kim Komrad

Hazzan Kim Komrad, who serves Kehilat Shalom Congregation in Gaithersburg, MD, is among the first generation of women to be invested into the clergy by the Jewish Theological Seminary’s Cantorial School, earning a Master of Sacred Music and Diploma of Hazzan in 1994. A classically trained soprano, Cantor Komrad has performed widely in the United States and Israel, on both the pulpit and stage, and as a soloist with a variety of ensembles, both cantorial and secular. She has appeared as a soloist with the Handel Choir of Baltimore in the oratorios Israel in Egypt, Joshua, and Saul, and recently performed the role of Viclinda in Verdi’s I Lombardi with Amici Opera, Philadelphia.

The recipient of many awards for performance and hazzanut, her rich soprano voice has delighted congregational and secular audiences alike. Cantor Komrad was featured as one of "The Twelve Leading Cantors of Our Time" in the  Jubilee Anniversary Concert of the Cantors Assembly in Chicago in 1997 and in their concert of "World Renowned Cantors" at Temple Emanu-El of New York City in 1998. The Cantors Assembly has selected Hazzan Komrad to perform at its annual conventions each year since she was inducted.  She currently serves on the Cantors Assembly’s National Executive Council and as Chair of its Seaboard Region, for the past twelve years. Hazzan Komrad also serves on the CA’s Ethics Committee and the Editorial Board of The Journal of Synagogue Music, as well as serving as Chair of its Social Action Committee. Hazzan Komrad was featured as one of  "The Four Most Exciting Women Cantors of our Decade" as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of women’s cantorial investiture. She was the first female cantor to ever appear in concert for the International Cantorial Foundation, in 2005.

Hazzan Komrad earned her B.A. degree in English and Creative Writing from the University of Miami, FL under the tutelage of Nobel laureate, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and continued her graduate studies in Literature at Old Dominion University.  In addition to her other recordings, she is featured on the Cantors Assembly/United Synagogue’s most recent CD, The Jewish Wedding. She lives in Baltimore with her husband Mark, and her son,  Ilan.