Scholars in Residence: Bridging Knowledge, Experience, and Purpose
A four-part series spotlighting Milken’s Scholars in Residence

Launched in Fall 2023, Milken Community School’s Scholars in Residence program brings distinguished leaders, thinkers, and practitioners into the life of the school, offering students rare opportunities to learn directly from experts who are shaping their fields. Now entering its third year, the program continues to grow—deepening Milken’s commitment to academic excellence, real-world learning, and the integration of Jewish values across disciplines by intentionally bridging theory and practice.

This year, Milken is highlighting its Scholars in Residence through a four-part article series, celebrating both new and returning scholars. For the 2025–2026 school year, Milken proudly welcomes Victor Kohn and Dr. Sam Torbati as its newest Scholars in Residence, while continuing its meaningful partnerships with Rabbi Ed Feinstein, now in his third year as Beit Midrash Fellowship Scholar in Residence, and Maestra Noreen Green, in her second year as Performing Arts Scholar in Residence. Milken is also grateful to Dr. Leon Alkalai, who concluded his two-year residency last year.

Maestra Noreen Green | Performing Arts Scholar in Residence

Now in her second year as Milken’s Performing Arts Scholar in Residence, Dr. Noreen Green brings a rare combination of artistic excellence, educational leadership, and deep commitment to Jewish music and culture.

Dr. Green is the Founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony (LAJS), which she established in 1994. A trailblazing conductor, educator, and lecturer known internationally for her work presenting music with Jewish themes, she has appeared as a guest conductor and speaker throughout the United States, Israel, South Africa, Spain, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean. Wherever she appears, Dr. Green brings a spirit of joy and connection, using the universal language of music to explore Jewish identity, history, and culture.

Her influence in the world of music has earned widespread recognition. Dr. Green was recently inducted into the prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry and was honored by Musical America as one of its Top 30 Professionals of the Year, recognizing her as “the most energetic advocate for Jewish music and music-making in the Los Angeles area.” The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony has just been named Leading Cultural Symphony Orchestra 2026 - USA by the Acquisition International Business Excellence Awards. Dr. Green's life and career have also been featured in a documentary in the Milken Archive of Jewish Music’s Spotlight Series.

At Milken, Dr. Green works closely with students in Kol Echad and Concert Orchestra, offering mentorship that connects musical performance with deeper cultural and historical understanding. Earlier this year, she spent time rehearsing with ensembles and served as guest conductor during the Winter Ensembles Concert, guiding students through repertoire that highlights both musical excellence and Jewish artistic expression.

Her presence has had a meaningful impact on both students and faculty. As Jordan Martone, Performing Arts Teacher, reflects:

“Dr. Green has assisted our Milken Orchestra program as the Artist in Residence for the past two school years and has enriched our program with her vast knowledge of Jewish music and history. Her lunch and learn lectures have covered topics like Sephardic music, Ladino music, and music inspired by Kristallnacht. Our orchestra students also had the opportunity to volunteer at a ‘musical petting zoo’ at Adat Ari El Synagogue, where they helped younger students explore new instruments and inspired the next generation of musicians. They then experienced a concert by the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, conducted by Dr. Green, bringing their learning full circle. Her expertise has also been invaluable in shaping our upcoming Spring Ensembles concert, where members of the LAJS will perform side-by-side with our students in a program featuring Jewish Broadway music.”

Students experienced firsthand what it means to perform under the direction of a professional conductor who has spent decades championing Jewish music on stages around the world.

Sarah Shapiro, Performing Arts Teacher, emphasizes the educational value of this experience:

“Having Dr. Green on campus has given students the opportunity to experience a different rehearsal dynamic and engage with a guest conductor, which is always a valuable part of their growth as ensemble musicians. Exposure to a variety of musical perspectives encourages them to be flexible, responsive, and thoughtful in how they approach rehearsal and performance. She brings her own distinct style to the rehearsal process, and navigating that helps students build important skills in adaptability and awareness within an ensemble setting.”

She adds:
“What I’m most excited about is the opportunity for students to perform side-by-side with members of the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony. That kind of experience is incredibly meaningful because it gives them a window into professional-level musicianship and helps them better understand the level of focus, preparation, and collaboration that is expected in those settings. It has also been especially fun for students to revisit Ocho Kandelikas, a Ladino Hanukkah song, as part of the Patchwork of Cultures program for the second year in a row, building both familiarity and joy around the repertoire.”

This spring, Dr. Green will return to campus for a series of rehearsals with Concert Orchestra, bringing professional musicians from the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony to mentor students and offer artistic feedback. The collaboration will culminate in the Spring Ensembles Concert, where Milken students will perform side-by-side with members of the LAJS—an experience that offers a rare glimpse into the professional world of orchestral performance.

Through the Scholars in Residence program, Dr. Green offers students more than musical instruction. She opens a window into the living tradition of Jewish music, demonstrating how artistry, heritage, and community can come together through performance.

By working alongside a conductor whose career has been dedicated to celebrating Jewish musical expression, Milken students gain both technical insight and a deeper appreciation for the cultural stories music can tell.