Raz Hartman is an Israeli-born singer, pianist and teacher. Trained in classical music from a young age, he pursued a degree in classical piano performance at the University of Southern California. Somewhere along the way, he met Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, and realized that music is meant to be joyful, and an expression of the soul. With this awakening, Raz began connecting to the rich world of Chassidic melodies and composing his own music. After completing his degree, Raz returned to Israel where he served in the Israeli army and then spent six years learning Torah at the Bat Ayin Yeshiva. He now lives in Jerusalem’s Nachalot neighborhood with his wife and four children where he leads the "V’ani Tefillah" minyan, teaches Torah and yearns to combine his music and love of teaching to reach out to touch the souls of all who hear.