Yoel Shemesh

​Yoel Shemesh is an Israeli pianist, singer-songwriter, and the founder of PianoSol, an online piano school. Born in the Galilean moshav of Manof to a mother from Uruguay and a father of Iraqi descent, Shemesh began his musical journey at the age of six by accompanying his mother to her piano lessons in Carmiel, where he would listen and emulate her playing. His formal education in classical music started under Ada Rosenberg and later transitioned to jazz with Elmar Pal.

 

After completing his military service as a medic, during which he began songwriting, Shemesh traveled through South and Central America. There, equipped with a melodica, he rediscovered the unique connections music fosters among people. Upon returning to Israel, he pursued studies in the Multidisciplinary Composition Department at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. During this period, he resumed piano lessons with Professor Binyamin Oren, studied composition under Professor Michael Wolpe, and co-founded The Betty Bears, an Israeli swing band. He also collaborated as a pianist with artists such as Amir Lev, Jimbo J, and Pedro Grass. 

​

In 2015, Shemesh debuted his original songs alongside bassist Evyatar Harmash and drummer Regev Baruch. The following year, he released his first single, "Pakuk B'Rehavia," inspired by the Prime Minister's motorcade. In 2017, a protest rendition of "Jerusalem of Gold," performed with a childhood friend, gained viral attention. December 2018 marked a personal and familial milestone as Shemesh performed his compositions at Uruguay's national theater during the Montevideo Jazz Festival. He has since continued to perform across Israel, both solo and with his band, in festivals and various venues.

​

In 2020, Shemesh established PianoSol, a digital piano school that has grown to include over 5000 students of varying skill levels. Through this platform, he shares his passion for piano, emphasizing its role as a way of life. Shemesh resides in Hod HaSharon with his wife, Noa, and their children, Anna and Lenny. 

​

Throughout his career, Shemesh has achieved notable milestones, including the inclusion of his single "Chazarti" (I Came Back) in Galgalatz's playlist and its nomination for Israeli Song of the Year. He received a grant from the Ministry of Culture's Independent Creators Fund in 2019, performed at the Fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, and was awarded a prize for independent creators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shemesh continues to teach, compose, perform, and connect with audiences, finding fulfillment in the meaningful encounters his musical journey facilitates.