What is a Cantor?

A cantor — hazzan (חזן) in Hebrew — is the person who chants worship services in the synagogue. Though the word is sometimes applied in a general way to anyone who leads services, it is more commonly used to denote someone who has completed professional musical training and been ordained as a cantor.

  • The position of prayer leader originated in the era following the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem when most Jews were unfamiliar with prayers and required a leader to recite them on their behalf.
  • Scholars date the earliest historical reference to a hazzan as a musical leader in the synagogue to around the sixth century; however the title came to refer to a formal clergy member only in Europe in the 1700s.
  • Today, it is rare for Orthodox congregations to hire a professional, full-time cantor, but many large Conservative and Reform synagogues have them. In recent years, a number of cantors have gone on to be ordained as rabbis and fulfill both roles in their congregations.

    -Wikipedia contributors, "Cantor," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

At a wedding, chanting the first blessing of the

Bible's Three-Fold Benediction.

Every week for the past several years, I have presented musical video “concerts” to the residents at two New York City senior assisted living facilities, and at many more on an occasional basis. From my extensive background as a performer and classical singer, I create playlists of great compositions from the long history of classical music. If the occasion calls for it, the program will be jazz, blues, Latin, tap dance, ballet, you name it.


Imagine how wonderful it is to hear, “Mr. Pincus, your programs are the high point of my week!” “You bring us such much pleasure with your music programs.” “Dan, your programs bring me back to my earlier days of going to concerts.”


Music is indeed the food of love. I feel blessed that my love of music brings me in contact with so many wonderful people who also can’t get enough of beautiful works of musical art.

Every week for the past several years, I have presented musical video “concerts” to the residents at two New York City senior assisted living facilities, and at many more on an occasional basis. From my extensive background as a performer and classical singer, I create playlists of great compositions from the long history of classical music. If the occasion calls for it, the program will be jazz, blues, Latin, tap dance, ballet, you name it.


Imagine how wonderful it is to hear, “Mr. Pincus, your programs are the high point of my week!” “You bring us such much pleasure with your music programs.” “Dan, your programs bring me back to my earlier days of going to concerts.”


Music is indeed the food of love. I feel blessed that my love of music brings me in contact with so many wonderful people who also can’t get enough of beautiful works of musical art.

  • Cantor Dan Pincus singing on-stage in theater performance
  • Cantor Dan Pincus performing with the Mantua Singers