Yaron Spiwak was born and raised in Kfar Saba, Israel. Growing up, he learned to play the oboe, piano, drums, and studied voice. When Yaron was a music major in high school he began playing the alto saxophone and joined some of Israel’s major big bands, including the Holon Big Band and the Tel Aviv Conservatory Big Band. His classical training in piano and voice provided an excellent foundation for his jazz and pop playing.
Toward the end of his Israeli military service, Yaron was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Songwriting and composing his own music became instrumental in his healing process. Once in remission Yaron enrolled at Rimon School of Music for Jazz and Pop. In 2005, he won the prestigious “Shirimon” Contest and received scholarships for his music arrangements and for his performance. Yaron then began performing his original material, while also touring withsome of Israel’s leading artists such as: Dani Litani, David D’or and The Iris and Ofer Portugally Gospel Choir. Throughout the years Yaron also musically collaborated with some of Israel’s accomplished artists such as: Netta (2018 Eurovision winner), Yoni Bloch, Rinat Bar, Knesiyat Hasechel, Rita, Hatikva 6, Dudu Fisher, Margol, Natan Goshen, Avraham Tal, Mergi, Bnaya Barabi, Ravid Plotnik, Nasrin Kadri and more.
In 2007, Yaron emigrated to the United States and later was awarded scholarships to the Berklee School of Music in Boston and to the University of California Los Angeles. He chose UCLA and the sunshine of Southern California. Yaron graduated with honors in June 2014, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies and Middle Eastern Studies, and was certified by UCLA’s Visual and Performing Arts Education Program as an arts educator. At UCLA he studied with nationally recognized musicians including Professor AJ Raci (Near Eastern Music), Professor Donald Neuen (Choral Choir) and Professor James Roberson (Gospel music).
After graduation, Yaron performed throughout the United States as an accompanist and piano man. He was a regular performer at the “Revolver”, “Don’t Tell Mama” and “Season 52” in Los Angeles, and was an entertainer on cruise lines, including Holland America and Carnival. He spent several summers in Provincetown, Massachusetts playing and singing at Tin Pan Alley and the Crown and Anchor.
In 2016, Yaron joined Walt Disney Imagineering as a full-time Music Producer/Creative Director, producing and supervising music for Disney Park attractions, live entertainment, and marketing campaigns worldwide. While working for Disney, he also produces music for other related franchises such as: Cirque de Soleil, The Muppets Studio, Star Wars, Marvel, National Geographic, Disney Junior, ABC, Disney +, Disney & Pixar animation Studio.
Yaron is a BMI member and a voting member of the Recording Academy (Grammy Awards). Several of his compositions have been commercially published, and he is hoping to release a new EP of standards and original music in 2023.