Grammy Award-winning violinist and music-tech entrepreneur Miri Ben-Ari captivated attendees at the 2025 Jerusalem Post Annual New York Conference with a dynamic performance and inspiring message about innovation, identity, and the unifying power of music.
Opening with a hip-hop rendition of Beethoven’s Für Elise, Ben-Ari brought the crowd to life, blending classical technique with modern rhythm.
“They call me the hip-hop violinist,” she said, adding, “I’m actually the first and only violinist, and Israeli, to win a Grammy in the hip-hop category.”
Ben-Ari followed the classical remix with a mash-up of violin-backed hip-hop hits, including Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ’Em,” as part of what she called her mission to “make the violin cool.”
Her energetic performance was punctuated by calls for audience participation: “If you feel like making noise, you have to go for it!”
But the artist’s message extended beyond music. In a brief talk between performances, she shared her journey as a creator and innovator, likening her life to that of a start-up company.
“My first start-up ever was the violin,” she said. “And the problem I was trying to solve is how to make this instrument cool.”
Ben-Ari, known for her spirited approach, is now applying that energy to the tech world. She revealed the launch of her company, Boom Bap, a music streaming platform.
Her motivation stems from the idea that despite music’s strong connective power, current music platforms do not foster genuine connection among users.
With a seven-person team and a mission to integrate Israeli innovation into the global music scene, Ben-Ari said she hoped that her new venture would “open doors to many Israeli start-ups trying to enter this space.”
Written in collaboration with Miri Ben Ari