Benny K

A native of Haifa, Israel, Benny Koonyevsky has made New York City his home after graduating with Master of Music from The Juilliard School. He was awarded the prestigious Francoise Shapira Prize for solo percussion work. Notably, Benny was the first percussionist ever to take first place in this nationwide competition. At the age of 20, he made his solo debut with the Israel Philharmonic. Artists he has accompanied include “The Who” 2018 Quadrophenia tour, the British singer and actress Petula Clark, Andrea Bocelli, Ishtar the voice of Alabina (Spain/France), Turkish artist Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Iranian legend Vigen, jazz artist and 2009/2018 Grammy Nominee Kate McGarry, singer song writer Jonatha Brooke, Tony winner - Kelli O’Hara, the Cuban band Son De Madre, the African band Afroblue, 3 times Tony winner - Jason Robert Brown, 2 times Tony winner Adam Guettel, The Radio City 2008 Arena Tour, violin virtuoso Lara Saint-John, Clarinet Virtuoso Anat Cohen, American folk-singing trio Peter, Paul and Mary, one of the world’s reigning prima ballerinas Diana Vishneva, the bluegrass artist Andy Statman, Colombian Piano player Hector Martignon, the Jewish singer song writer Debbie Friedman and co-producing the up-and-coming artist Elana Arian. As a first call drum-set artist Benny subs with the New York City Ballet, The New Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, St. Lukes Orchestra, The Final Fantasy tour and The Genshin tour. Recording credits include Gloria Estefan, Vanessa Williams, Donald Fagan, Jonatha Brooke, Jason Robert Brown, Adi Yeshaya, Afroblue, Gabrielle Roth, Debbie Friedman, Rolando Morales Matos, Valerie Naranjo, Elana Arian, Jennifer Holiday, Yehuda Poliker - to name a few. Benny appears on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard, Death Becomes Her, Camelot, The Lion King, Aladdin, Funny Girl, Music Man, Frozen, Spamalot, On Your Feet, West Side Story, Burn the Floor, In the Heights, Bridges of Madison County, Anastasia, My Fair Lady, Fidler on the Roof, Motown, Mean Girls, Ain’t Too Proud to Beg and Nice Work If You Can Get It.