About Hillai

Hillai Govreen is a clarinetist, saxophonist and composer based in New York.
Her debut album “Allusions” is a duet with pianist Nitsan Kolko. Their duet feature spontaneous musical dialogue and alludes to various ancient fables. In addition, Hillai arranged music for a nonet consisting of strings and woodwinds.  

Hillai played and collaborated with international musicians including George Cables, Arturo O’farill, Anat Cohen, George Colligan, Steve Cardenas, Joseph Pepe Danze, Gino Sitson and Harold Rubin. She has toured in Europe, Israel and the U.S.
Hillai is a P. Mauriat endorsing artist for clarinet and saxophone.

Graduated with honors from The New School for Jazz and contemporary music in 2020, Studied with Anat Cohen, Chris Cheek, Tony Malaby, Billy Harper, Steve Cardenas, Reggie Workman and others.

Born and raised in Israel her love for music was triggered at an early age. She started playing classical piano at the age of 6 and when she was 12 she picked up the clarinet and studied under Professor Michael Gurfinkel.

Throughout high school she was awarded musical scholarships from the American Israel cultural foundation 4 years in a row and played first clarinet in the young Israeli philharmonic orchestra. She was awarded “outstanding musician” and was accepted with a full scholarship to study at the “Barenboim Saiid” academy in Berlin.