Violinist, composer, vocalist and creative director. Founder of Payadora Tango Ensemble, co-founder of Schmaltz & Pepper — building ensembles and shows that cross every musical boundary.
Rebekah is a passionate chamber musician and a multi-award winning creative force in the Canadian music scene — a violinist, vocalist, songwriter, and composer.
Described by Ludwig Van Toronto as "an outstanding virtuoso musician" and "a very clever lyricist," Rebekah has established a strong international presence as a performer, bandleader, composer and vocalist. She writes tango that has reached #1 on the World Music Charts Europe, Yiddish swing songs that Opera Ramblings says are "loads of fun to listen to even when sober,".
Rebekah is the founder and leader of Payadora Tango Ensemble. She composed the music for their critically acclaimed album Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango, which reached #1 on the World Music Charts Europe, won the Ontario Folk Music Award for Best Album, and earned Payadora the 2024 German Weltmusikpreis Ruth Award at Rudolstadt. The ensemble has toured across Europe, South America and North America.
She co-founded Schmaltz & Pepper, a genre-defying klezmer and Yiddish swing ensemble with TSO principal clarinetist Eric Abramovitz — acclaimed for its "playful banter, heartfelt vocals, and award-winning compositions." She writes and sings the original songs, which have been compared to Tom Lehrer and Gilbert & Sullivan.
She serves as first violinist of the Venuti String Quartet, and as a classical violinist has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet of Canada, and the Canadian Opera Company. She can be heard on numerous JUNO and Grammy-winning recordings by artists including Donovan Woods, Laila Biali, Royal Wood, and Justin Gray.
Beyond her ensembles, Rebekah creates multi-arts shows with other artists — combining live music with dance, narration, and orchestra to build larger theatrical works. She collaborates with CBC broadcaster Tom Allen on The Legend of Carau and The Delinquent Monk, with PointeTango on Tango Apasionado, and with full orchestras on The Soul of Tango. She is currently writing a musical, The Yiddish Bullfighter, with Drew Jurecka and Shaina Silver-Baird.
Her creative output has earned multiple grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council.
Rebekah has received numerous grants for composition, recording and performance from:
Tango, klezmer, classical, jazz — all led and co-founded by Rebekah.
Award-winning tango touring internationally since 2013. Original compositions, fiery performance, world-class musicianship.
Genre-defying klezmer and Yiddish swing. Nominated for Best Compositions at the 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Toronto's most versatile string quartet. Featured on the Grammy-winning album Immersed.
Together since 2001 — jazz, classical, world music and fiddle on an improbable number of instruments.
Aside from concerts, Rebekah has co-created a variety of programs with her ensembles and other artists.
A young Argentine cowboy travels to Buenos Aires — only to find unexpected love in a tango club. Original music by Rebekah Wolkstein and Drew Jurecka, narration by Tom Allen, dance by PointeTango.
The only tango and ballet fusion in the world. Payadora's live tango meets PointeTango's breathtaking choreography. Sold-out performances and standing ovations.
Payadora performs with a full orchestra — tango classics by Piazzolla, Mores, and Gardel alongside original compositions. Orchestrations by Drew Jurecka, conducted by Scott Good.
Paris through the eyes of Francis Poulenc — charting the musical life of Paris from 1928 to 1945. Featuring Rebekah Wolkstein, Drew Jurecka, Lori Gemmell, Clark Schaufele, and Tom Allen.
"Wolkstein displayed such formidable violin technique that she is indisputably a grand master of her craft… an outstanding virtuoso musician."
"Wolkstein and Abramowitz are especially stunning. She is also a very engaging vocalist in both English and Yiddish."
A feature on the genre-defying ensemble redefining Yiddish music from Toronto.
"Captivating… Breathtaking tour de force… the Venuti String Quartet plays with joie de vivre!"
"The most memorable release I have ever had the privilege to listen to and review." A review of the Payadora album composed and performed by Rebekah.
"An extraordinary new album" — on Silent Tears, composed and performed by Rebekah with Payadora. #1 on World Music Charts Europe.
"Astounding, both musically and conceptually." On the Payadora album composed and performed by Rebekah.
"Beautiful, sad, powerful and empowering." An interview about composing and performing the album with Payadora.
"Extraordinary" — a feature on the Payadora album composed and performed by Rebekah.
"A world class contemporary chamber ensemble."
A video feature on the music of Silent Tears — composed and performed by Rebekah with Payadora.
Rebekah composes for her ensembles and for commission — tango, klezmer, jazz and contemporary classical.
For concert bookings, collaboration inquiries, or press requests.
Payadora — payadora.com
Schmaltz & Pepper — schmaltzandpepper.com
Venuti String Quartet — venutistringquartet.com
Rebekah & Jurecka — rebekahjurecka.com