We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamar Sagiv. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamar below.
Tamar, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
My self-discipline comes first and foremost from my mother. She is also a musician, and she raised my brother and me as a single parent, showing by example what it means to be resilient, determined, and steady in the face of challenge. Watching her balance so much on her own taught me the importance of showing up, even when it’s hard, and continuing to move forward with purpose.
That foundation carried into my own life as a musician. The cello, and classical music in general, requires patience, persistence, and discipline. Over the years I’ve come to realize that what I learned from my mother is at the core of how I approach my art.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a cellist and composer, originally from Israel and now based in New York City. My work lives at the intersection of classical tradition and personal storytelling – I often draw from my own experiences to create music that feels intimate and human. What excites me most about what I do is the way music can carry personal history and transform it into something that resonates with others.
My debut album grew out of an improvisation I played at my grandmother’s deathbed. That moment became the seed for a whole body of work that reflects the process and shades of mourning. I recently celebrated the album’s release with my debut at National Sawdust, a dream venue for me. I was joined by close friends – Leerone Hakami, Pauline Roberts, Ella Bukszpan, and Dana Saba – all remarkable women musicians, which felt especially meaningful in a field that has historically been led by men. Sharing the stage with them was not only a celebration of music but also a moment of joy. The album was written during a time of deep grief, which felt very lonely, and in contrast the concert felt profoundly empowering.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I think the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, emotional openness, and patience.
Resilience has carried me through challenges both in life and in music. Creating art is never a straight path, and there are always obstacles, but what matters is finding ways to keep moving forward. My advice to others is to allow setbacks to become part of your process rather than signs to stop.
Emotional openness is just as important. My music is deeply connected to my personal experiences, and I’ve learned that letting myself be vulnerable in my art is what allows others to connect to it most deeply. For someone starting out, I would say: don’t be afraid to bring your own story into your work – it’s what makes it unique.
And finally, patience. As a cellist, I’ve spent countless hours practicing, often refining a single phrase over and over. That same patience applies to composing and building a career. Nothing happens overnight, but every small step builds into something larger. My advice is to trust that process, keep showing up, and allow the work the time to grow.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my mother did for me was to lead by example. She raised my brother and me as a single parent, while also being a musician herself, and showed me what it means to be resilient, creative, and steady in the face of challenge.
Her ability to balance so much while still nurturing music in our home taught me that art and life are not separate; they inform one another. That lesson has stayed with me in my career as a cellist and composer, and it’s the foundation of the way I approach both music and life today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tamarsagiv.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagivtamarcellist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamar.sagiv.5
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxIKlWA-IusssxcX8qK6EdA
- Other: Sptofy: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3yxNdsxrc3wGFFOFX6lC9j?si=3DS0ldUGQQ-HZkLXX_UKGA
Image Credits
Nadira Shahin
David Jeruzalmi
Zan Wang
Izalia Saff
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