Framingham High Graduate Sings at The White House

Last December, Michael Berkson performed at the Town of Framingham's holiday celebration at Nevins Hall, with the a cappella group Syncopated.

Last Thursday, Framingham High graduate Berkson performed in the nation's capital with Pizmon, a Jewish a cappella group from Columbia University, as part of the White House's Hanukkah celebration.

Berkson, a freshman at Columbia University, also arranged a mashup of a Jewish song Maoz Tzur and Katy Perry's Firework, which was performed at the White House. (Attached to this report is a video of that performance.)

Founded in 1987, Pizmon was the first collegiate Jewish a cappella group. Comprised of students from Columbia, Barnard, and the Jewish Theological Seminary, Pizmon sings a variety of different genres, including liturgical pieces, Israeli rock and pop, English parodies, Yiddish classics, and children's songs. 

"We created three new Chanukah arrangements the week we found out (we were performing), including one that I made; and we learned them just in time," said Berkson

"Performing for notable Jewish personalities from the NBA, Hollywood, and the federal government was an amazing experience, but the highlight of the night was giving a private performance of my arrangement to the President and the First Lady," said Berkson to Framingham Patch.

"I am very grateful to my high school a cappella group, Syncopated of Framingham High School. They provided me with an amazing foundation for my a cappella career (including serenading Sen. Elizabeth Warren last year,) without which I may never have had this opportunity," said Berkson.