From Tel Aviv
to the White House
The ONLY violinist to win a Grammy in HipHop
MEET violin legend and tech entrepreneur Miri Ben-Ari. Originally from Israel, she is a Grammy-winning Violinist, producer, humanitarian, “UN Goodwill Ambassador of Music” to the United Nations, and TED speaker. She has invented a unique sound—a revolutionary fusion of classical, Hip-Hop, and dance music, recognized as a music trendsetter and musical pioneer.
This classically trained violinist, who once studied under the late classical master Isaac Stern, has helped sell millions of records by collaborating with other Grammy Award Winning artists such as Kanye West, Jay Z, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Twista, Wynton Marsalis, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, Akon, Patti Labelle, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson, John Legend, Aventura, Fetty Wap, Diamond Platnumz, Kenny G, and Armin Van Buuren. Her album "The Hip Hop Violinist"/ Universal Records features many of her collaborations.
A music trendsetter
Miri Ben-Ari is the only violinist to win a Grammy in the Hip Hop category, the only violinist to become an Apollo Legend, and the first to be featured in many popular hip-hop, Latin, EDM, and Afrobeat songs. Miri’s music production could be heard in over 100 hit songs and received dozens of awards. Since Miri Ben-Ari stepped onto the Apollo stage in 2001 and introduced her new invention to the world: “The Hip-Hop Violinist,” she was featured in many commercial songs in different musical genres: “Overnight Celebrity” (Twista), “Jesus Walks” (Kanye West), “Live it Up” (John Legend), “Intense” (Armin Van Buuren), Jose (Aventura), Baila (Diamond Platnumz) “Symphony of Brotherhood Rise” (Dr. King/Flo Rida) and “Love Duet” (Kenny G). Her sponsorship deals and campaigns include companies like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Vodafone, Reebok, and Harman Kardon.
Creating harmony one note at a time
When First Lady Michelle Obama watched Miri Ben-Ari’s song “Symphony of Brotherhood” ft Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on YouTube, she fell in love with the song and its message. Miri was invited to perform at the White House and receive the “Remarkable Woman” award. This song was also awarded by activist Al Sharpton and Israeli President Shimon Peres. As a co-founder of the non-profit organization promoting Holocaust awareness and tolerance to the youth, Miri Ben-Ari has dedicated her music to delivering powerful messages of social responsibility, equity, and inclusion. She recently released “Symphony of Brotherhood Rise” with superstar rapper Flo Rida featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. The song was included in Spotify's MLK playlist.
Among her accolades are the Grammy Award for “Best Rap Song”, an “Apollo Legend” by the Apollo theater in New York City, “International Jewish Woman to Watch”, the “Martin Luther King Award” from Israeli President Shimon Peres, “Remarkable Woman” by First Lady, Michelle Obama, “Girl Up Advocate Award” from the United Nations Foundation, the “Ellis Island Medal of Honor” by Neco and the “Making a Difference Award” by the Anti Defamation League (ADL).
Afrobeats time
Miri's recent collaboration with African artist Diamond Platnumz entitled “Baila” has garnered millions of views and won the “Best Collaboration” award at the African Entertainment Awards USA. She then teamed up with a Nigerian producer to create the project Afrostringz, fusing African music with the sound of Strings.
Symphony of Brotherhood
Black-Jewish Partnership for Social Change
Through Music
In 2023, Miri Ben-Ari founded the Symphony of Brotherhood, a Black-Jewish Partnership Coalition that hosts anti-bias music events for middle and high school students. This creative initiative emphasizes social responsibility, diversity, and inclusion, combating hate, racism, and antisemitism while celebrating the relationship between the Black and Jewish communities through music, all under the theme of Dr. King’s legacy. The Symphony of Brotherhood began with a special Black History Month event hosted by the New Jersey-Israel Commission, Governor Murphy, and COGIC (Church of God in Christ). The event was attended by government officials and community leaders, including NJ Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, former U.S. Senator and NJ Governor Jon Corzine, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and Bishop Glenn Plummer. Symphony of Brotherhood Anti-Bias events feature a blend of hip-hop violin and a Black gospel choir, with an interactive performance. It connects the stories of oppression and highlights the historical solidarity and support between the Black Christian and Jewish communities through an uplifting theatrical music experience produced by Miri Ben-Ari. Audiences have praised all events as one of the best shows they had ever experienced. The
Recognizing the urgent need for anti-bias initiatives to combat hate, racism, and antisemitism, particularly among today's GenZ, Symphony of Brotherhood partnered with the Departments of Education in New York and New Jersey. In 2024, Symphony of Brotherhood launched Black History Month with Mayor Eric Adams and is scheduled to continue its work in NY and NJ throughout 2025. Miri Ben-Ari received the 2024 ADL Award for “Making a Difference” for this Social Good Initiative.