MICHAL NISSIMOFF

Composer · Conductor · Performer
Creating through experimental music, theater, and world folklore

Scroll to explore

About

Michal Nissimoff

I'm a composer, conductor, and performer from Tel Aviv, working with interdisciplinary, experimental performance and creation through exploration of the human experience.

I'm drawn to the dialectical nature of human experience, where opposing forces don't just coexist—they blur, clash, and transform each other until distinctions nearly disappear. Through electroacoustic composition, language, and movement, I explore these contrasts: acoustic meets electronic, human meets non-human, ancient tradition collides with contemporary experimentation.

Bulgarian folk singing has become central to my practice. My grandfather was born in Sofia in 1927, and in recent years I've deepened my connection to these roots through immersive study in Bulgaria—learning traditional singing techniques, participating in folk festivals, and researching how regional history shapes vocal identity and ornamentation.

I hold a B.M. in Composition and Conducting from Berklee College of Music and am currently pursuing an M.F.A. in Musical Theatre and Vocal Pedagogy at the Boston Conservatory. My thesis research explores singers' willingness to take artistic risks through free vocal improvisation and somatic methods.

I'm passionate about making contemporary art accessible without compromising its integrity. Whether I'm composing, conducting, or performing, I'm searching for ways to create meaningful experiences that resonate with audiences.

Research

M.F.A. Thesis Research

My current research explores singers' willingness to take artistic risks through free vocal improvisation and somatic methods. As an experimental vocal composer, my goal is to investigate how we can better prepare singers for the demands of new vocal works.

The study involves four sessions with a group of singers, each session exploring a different element of artistic risk-taking: collaboration, movement, story, and voice through Lессac Kinesensics, Viewpoints, Pauline Oliveros' Deep Listening, Alexander Technique, and Free Improvisation.

Regional History in Bulgarian Singing

Ethnomusicology and Vocal Acoustics

I completed research on regional history and Bulgarian folk singing, examining how history shapes identity and how it is expressed through different vocal qualities and ornamentation across regions.

Upcoming: Capstone Project

I'm currently developing an interdisciplinary adaptation of "Akedat Yitzchak" (the Binding of Isaac)—a reflection on morals and humanity.

Selected Works

Bulgarian Folk Reimagined

For 4 voices and live electronics

An experimental project combining Bulgarian folk singing, free vocal improvisation, and live electronics.

Bulgarian FolkFree ImprovisationLive Electronics

Reflections

String quartet, fixed electronics, video art | Formosa Quartet, 2024

Exploring light and its visual representations, and the interplay between existence and perception.

ElectroacousticComposition

Or HaGanuz (The Hidden Light)

12 voices and string quartet | Boston, May 2024

A journey from the singular self to collective consciousness.

Vocal WorksComposition

Trio for Alon

Free improvisation for three voices (2024)

A meditation for Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, created through free vocal improvisation.

Free ImprovisationVocal Works

Aurora

Voice, EWI, and fixed media with video art

Exploration of timbre and breath through voice and electronic wind instrument.

ElectroacousticMultidisciplinary

Selected Performances

Musical Theater Performance

MT Performance Reel

Musical TheaterPerformance

Orchestral & Contemporary Performance

Performed with Firebird Pops Orchestra, River Symphony Orchestra, and The Revolution Orchestra.

Take Me Back to Manhattan

River Symphony Orchestra, Boston

The Moment Where Everything's At

The Revolution Orchestra, Tel Aviv

OrchestralPerformance

World Folklore Performance

Judia

Chiprovtsi, Bulgaria

Zhenala e Dyulber Yana

Chiprovtsi, Bulgaria

Bulgarian FolkPerformance

Selected Conducting & Music Direction

Sweeney Todd

Associate Conductor | Moonbox Productions

Served as Associate Conductor, conducted music rehearsals, run-throughs and served as a stand-by show conductor.

ConductingMusical Theater

Berklee Commencement Concert

Music Director | Agganis Arena

Music Director for the Berklee Commencement Concert featuring Sona Jobarteh.

Music DirectionWorld Music

Additional Conducting

Associate Conductor of the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra. Music Director of Curtain Up at Berklee.

ConductingContemporary

List of Compositional Work

"come again."

Double choir, 6 speaking voices, percussion · ~9 min · 2025

VocalElectroacoustic

Reflections

String quartet & fixed electronics · ~6 min · 2024

ChamberElectroacoustic

Or HaGanuz

12 voices & string quartet · ~7 min · 2024

VocalChamber

Passacaglia

8 voices · ~4 min · 2024

Vocal

Aurora

Voice, EWI, fixed media · ~6 min · 2023

VocalElectroacoustic

Fantasia on Themes by Thomas Newman

Full orchestra · 2022

Orchestra

Behind the Trees

EP for guitar, voice, electronics · 2021

ChamberElectroacoustic

Combinations

EP for voice and electronics · 2021

VocalElectroacoustic

Contact

I'm always interested in collaborations, commissions, and conversations about experimental vocal music, Bulgarian folk traditions, and interdisciplinary performance.