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Ruth Hertz Weber

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Ruth Hertz Weber
Background information
BornSan Diego, California, USA
Genres
Occupation(s)Composer, Conductor, pianist, musician, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Piano, voice
LabelsBaa Baa Farms Music
Websitewww.ruthmakesmusic

Ruth Hertz Weber aka Ruth Lopez-Yañez is a composer, conductor, and pianist. She has collaborated on film and music projects with artists such as Dan Aykroyd, Julian Lennon and Ricky Kej and her music has been performed by major symphony orchestras including the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, and Virginia Symphony Orchestra.[1][2][3][4] She has won awards from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Parents' Choice Awards and Hollywood Music in Media Awards, among others. As a filmmaker, she directed and produced the 2024 documentary, Ale Brider.[5]

Early life and education

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Ruth Karen Hertz was born and raised in San Diego, California, and studied piano, guitar, and voice while growing up.[6] She received her Bachelor of Music degree from San Diego State University (SDSU), and her Master of Music degree from California State University, Northridge (CSUN).[7]

Career

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As a composer, Weber's songs have been recorded in the U.S. and abroad, and she has been a winner of the New York Pro/Am Songwriting Competition, The Canadian Songwriting Competition, the Jewish American Songwriting Competition and the Music City Song Festival, among others. Her songs have appeared in film and print music.[8] She is a member of The Recording Academy.[9]

An advocate for education,[10] Weber and her daughter Emilia Lopez-Yañez make up the children's music group Ruth and Emilia. Their debut album "The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard" received positive reviews[11][12] and won numerous awards including Hollywood Music in Media Awards.[13]

Weber was named music director for the Center for Jewish Cultural Renaissance after her success with these festivals. Weber was the founder of the Cuyamaca College Chorus and the Accompanying Ensemble at Palomar College. She organized the “A Night at the Opera” fundraiser concerts, which raised over $30,000 the first year, benefiting the student support services at Poway High School, and saving the valuable program for two years in a row.

As one of the music directors at the First United Methodist Church in Escondido, Weber directed the Children's Choir, the Youth Choir, the Church Orchestra, the Disciple Singers, and ran the Children's Choir Festival[14] for several years. As music director for Ner Tamid Synagogue in Rancho Bernardo, Weber formed and directed the Ner Tamid Choir and the Klezmattack Ensemble.[15] She organized and directed two JUMP festivals (Jews United in Music Performance)[16][17] which aimed to unite the community in song, raise money to buy trees in Israel and sponsor cultural activities in San Diego.

Weber is the former Artistic Director for the Jean Will Presents concert series at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, California.[18] As a classical pianist Weber has performed internationally as well as in the U.S. She has worked with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, Opera Aguascalientes, CSUN, The San Fernando Valley Men's Choir, and as a recording artist with the Marantz Pianocorder Division.

  • San Diego Jewish Men's Choir

Weber is presently the Artistic Director/Conductor of The San Diego Jewish Men's Choir,[19] which performs over 25 concerts per year in the Southern California area.[20] The choir released its first award-winning album, “Heritage,” on Jan.1, 2014,[21] and its second multi award-winning and Billboard (magazine) charting[22][23] album, KOCHI, in 2015.[24] Under Weber's leadership the group received a proclamation from Mayor Todd Gloria proclaiming the men's choir's festival/ release party as Chanukah JAM Day 2013.[25] Weber and the Men's Choir have performed on national television as guests on the Chabad Telethon 2014[26] and on two Jewish Life Television episodes.[27] In 2018, Weber organized a tour for the choir to travel to Omaha, NE, where they performed alongside the Omaha Symphony under the direction of conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez,[28][29] and later to Phoenix, AZ.[30] Their album, Legacy, won a Global Music Award for "Best Jewish Music" in 2020.[31]

  • Ruth and Emilia

Weber and her daughter, Emilia Lopez-Yañez, formed "Ruth and Emilia", a children's themed musical duo, in 2018.[32] They released two albums, Kokowanda Bay and The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard, which both received positive reviews.[33][34] "Repair the World" won the Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 2016 and "Everything Is Better With Some Bubbles" won a Hollywood Music in Media Award in 2018, as well as receiving other awards.[35][13] The duo has performed at museums, libraries, and private events as well as streaming live performances.[36][37][38][39][40]

Discography

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Title Artist Contribution Year
1st This Ain't the Number - Single Marie Lester Co-Writer 1986
2nd Oh My Baby Ruth Lopez-Yañez Artist/Composer 1990
3rd Eight Songs of Chanukah Ruth Lopez-Yañez Artist/Composer 1992
4th Me and the Kids Ruth, Emilia & Enrico Lopez-Yañez Artist/Composer 1997
5th Heritage San Diego Jewish Men's Choir Conductor/Producer 2015
6th Forever Strong, a Tribute to the USS Indianapolis Stephen Melillo Choral Conductor 2015
7th Kochi San Diego Jewish Men's Choir Conductor/Producer 2016
8th The Mitzvah Bus Mister G (children's performer) Choral Conductor 2016
9th Hineni, Music for the High Holy Days Cheri Weiss Pianist/Vocalist 2016
10th Shanti Samsara Ricky Kej Co-Composer/Choral Director 2016
11th Action Moves People United Multiple Artists Co-Composer/Choral Conductor 2016
12th Let's Have a Rockin Christmas Vol 2 Various Artists Co-Composer 2017
13th Buddha Lounge Art Tawanghar Co-Composer 2017
14th We Are One Windwalker and MCW Co-Composer/Arranger 2018
15th One Little Finger (soundtrack)[41] Ruth Hertz Weber Choral and string arrangements, choir director 2019
16th Kokowanda Bay Ruth and Emilia Artist/Composer/Producer 2020
17th Legacy[42] San Diego Jewish Men's Choir Conductor/Producer 2020
18th I Had A Dream - Songs of an Immigrant[43] Ruth and Emilia Artist/Composer/Producer 2021
19th Arise Together - Children of the World[44] Ruth and Emilia Composer/artist/lyrics 2023

Filmography

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Title Genre Contribution Year
1st One Little Finger[41] Film Musical director, choral arrangement 2019
2nd The Jimmy Star Show with Ron Russell TV Series Guest 2022
3rd Ale Brider[45] Documentary Composer, actress, director, producer, choral director, music supervisor 2024

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Nominated Work Category Result
1986 New York Pro/Am Song Jubilee "This Ain't the Number" Country Won
1989 Hollywood Song Jubilee "This Ain't the Number" Country Won
1993 American Jewish Song Festival "Dreidel Sing Along" World Music Won
"Lion of Judea" World Music Won
2014 Global Music Awards[46] "Heritage" Album World Music Won
2015 Global Music Awards[47] "Kochi" Album World Music Won
2015 Parent's Choice Award[48] "The Mitzvah Bus" Album Children's Won
2016 Shalshelet 6th International Festival[49] "Dreydl Sing Along" Jewish Music Won
2016 John Lennon Songwriting Contest[35] "Where Do I Live" Children's Nominated
2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards "Enlighten Your Soul" World Music Nominated
Dreydl Sing Along Holiday Nominated
2017 Hollywood Music in Media Award[50] "Distorted Time" New Age/Ambient Nominated
2017 Global Peace Song Awards[51] "Enlighten Your Soul" World Music Won
2018 Family Choice Awards[52] "The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard" Children's Won
2018 Hollywood Music in Media Awards[53] "Everything is Better With Bubbles" Children's Music Won
2018 Global Music Awards[54] "The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard" Children's Won
2018 Creative Child Awards[55] "The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard" CDs Won
2018 LA Music Critics Award[11] "The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard" Children's Pop Won
2018 Tillywig Toy Awards[56] "The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard" Children's Won
2018 Hot Diggity Awards[57] "The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard" Children's Won
2018 National Parenting Product Awards[58] "The Spaceship that Fell in My Backyard" Kids and Families Won
2018 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Winners[59] "Repair the World" (Tikkun Olam) Children's Won
2020 Kids First Endorsement[60] "Kokowanda Bay Album" Audio Won
2020 Global Music Awards[61] "Kokowanda Bay Album" Children's Music Won
2020 Mom's Choice Awards[62] "Kokowanda Bay Album" Audio Won
2020 Parents' Choice Awards[63] "Kokowanda Bay Album" Music Won
2020 Hollywood Music in Media Award[64] "Like Magic" Children's Music Nominated
2022 Accolade Global Film Competition[65] "Mushrooms" Original Song Won
"Mushrooms" Music Video Won
"We're goin' Green" Music Video Won
"We're goin' Green" Children/Family Programming Won
2024 Hollywood Independent Music Awards[66] "Stronger Together" Children's Music Won
Hong Kong Indie Music Festival[67] Ale Brider (All My Brothers) Best Composer in Short Won
Jane Austen International Film Festival[68] Ale Brider (All My Brothers) Best Documentary Won
Paris International Short Festvial[69][70] Ale Brider Best Music in Short Won
2024 Accolade Global Film Competition[71] Ale Brider (All My Brothers) Documentary Short Won
Ale Brider (All My Brothers) Women Filmmakers Won
Ale Brider (All My Brothers) Jewish Won
2024 Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards[72] Ale Brider (All My Brothers) Documentary Short Won

References

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  1. ^ "1000 Words". L'CHAIM. May 3, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  2. ^ "One Little Finger Soundtrack". One Little Finger. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  3. ^ "Making Music on Her Own Terms, Performer/Composer Ruth Weber Stays True To Her Own Melodies". Irish Examiner USA. August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  4. ^ "Emilia Lopez-Yañez and Ruth Weber – Concert Hour".
  5. ^ "San Diego Jewish Men's Choir's Documentary Wins 3 Awards in Accolade Global Film Competition page 48". San Diego Jewish Journal. March 31, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  6. ^ "Meet Ruth Weber of Ruth and Emilia". San Diego Voyager. January 10, 2019. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "Ruth Hertz Weber". Indie Music Channel. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "Alfred Music". Alfred Music. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  9. ^ "Grammy Pro". Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  10. ^ "A focus on making positive difference for kids through music". 9 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Get it or Forget it". 13 November 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  12. ^ "Watch Kids' Review of Spaceship that Fell in my Backyard". Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  14. ^ "The San Diego Union Tribune". Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  15. ^ "The San Diego Union Tribune". Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  16. ^ "The San Diego Union Tribune". Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  17. ^ "The San Diego Union Tribune". Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  18. ^ "San Diego Reader". Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  19. ^ "San Diego Jewish Men's Choir". 12 April 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  20. ^ "San Diego Jewish Men's Choir". Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  21. ^ "Heritage Album on CD Baby". Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  22. ^ "World Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  23. ^ "Heatseekers - Pacific". billboard.com. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  24. ^ "Kochi Album on Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  25. ^ "San Diego Jewish World". Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  26. ^ "Chabad Telethon 2014". 22 August 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  27. ^ "Jewish Life Television". Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  28. ^ "KVNO". Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  29. ^ "Omaha Symphony Press Release". Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  30. ^ "Jewish Life Arizona". October 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  31. ^ "2020 Global Music Award Winners". Global Music Awards. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  32. ^ "Musical duo turn quarantine into toddler TV time". The San Diego Union Tribune. May 4, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  33. ^ "Watch Kids' Reviews of KOKOWANDA BAY BY RUTH AND EMILIA". Kids First. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  34. ^ "The Ship That Fell in My Backyard". New Music Alert. 27 January 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  35. ^ a b "John Lennon Songwriting - Finalists". John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  36. ^ "Music Fun Under the Sun: Ruth and Emilia". Children's Discovery Museum. August 8, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  37. ^ "Meet Ruth Weber: Ruth and Emilia-Mother/Daughter children's educational music duo". Allevents.in. San Ysidro Eventsl. June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  38. ^ "LIVE! Ruth & Emilia and Hullabaloo". SDCDM. July 6, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  39. ^ "Ruth and Emilia (live performance)". City of Carlsbad. June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  40. ^ "Meet Ruth Weber: Ruth and Emilia-Mother/Daughter children's educational music duo". Shout Out Socal. July 7, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  41. ^ a b "One Little Finger (ability in disability) soundtrakc". One Little Finger. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  42. ^ "Jewish Men's Choir releases 'Legacy'". L'CHAIM. December 7, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  43. ^ "I Had A Dream – Songs Of An Immigrant". L'CHAIM. November 6, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  44. ^ "Arise Together - Children of the World credits". One Little Finger. August 25, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  45. ^ "San Diego Jewish Men's Choir". SDJMC. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  46. ^ "Global Music Awards - Winner July 2014". Global Music Awards. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  47. ^ "Global Music Awards - Winner July 2015". Global Music Awards. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  48. ^ "2016 Parents' Choice Award - Winners". Parents' Choice.org. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  49. ^ "Shalshelet 6th International Festival - Winning Composers". Shalshelet Festival. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  50. ^ "HMMA 2017 Genre Nominations". HMMA. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  51. ^ "Global Peace Song - Finalists". Global Peace Song Awards. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  52. ^ "2018 Family Choice Award". Family Choice Awards. February 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  53. ^ "2018 HMMA Music Genre Winners". HMMA. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  54. ^ "Silver Medal Winners - Outstanding Achievement". Global Music Awards. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  55. ^ "Creative Child Awards CD Category". Creative Child Awards. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  56. ^ "Tillywig Toy Award". Tillywig Toy Awards. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  57. ^ "Hot Diggity Award". Hot Diggity Awards. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  58. ^ "Best Tunes for Kids and Families". NAPPA Awards. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  59. ^ "Grand Prize winner in Children's Music". John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  60. ^ "Kids First! 2020 Audio Endorsements". Kids First!. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  61. ^ "2020 Global Music Award Winners". Global Music Awards. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  62. ^ "Award Winning Products". Mon's Choice Awards. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  63. ^ "Parents' Choice Recommendations". Parents' Choice Awards. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  64. ^ "HMMA 2020 Genre Nominations" (PDF). HMMA. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  65. ^ "2022 Awards of Recognition". Accolade Competition. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  66. ^ "HIMA 2024 Nominations and winners". HIMA. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  67. ^ "Winners May 2024". HIFF Festival. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  68. ^ "JAIFF Winners 2024". JAIFF. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  69. ^ "Paris International Short Festival". Paris International Short Festival. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  70. ^ "Ale Brider Documentary Trailer". San Diego Jewish Men's Choir. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  71. ^ "2024 Winners" (Press release). Accolade Competition. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  72. ^ "2024 Winners". Hollywood Independent Filmmaker Awards. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
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