Lahav Shani

Lahav Shani (born 1989) is an Israeli conductor and pianist known for his dynamic interpretations of the classical repertoire. Born in Tel Aviv, he serves as Music Director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra since the 2020/21 season, Chief Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra since 2018, and has been appointed Chief Conductor of the Munich Philharmonic starting in the 2026/27 season.

Shani began his musical training early, starting piano studies at age six with Hannah Shalgi and continuing at Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts in Tel Aviv. He furthered his education at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel Aviv University under Prof. Arie Vardi for piano, and later at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin, where he studied conducting with Prof. Christian Ehwald and piano with Prof. Fabio Bidini. Mentored by renowned conductor Daniel Barenboim, Shani also possesses skills as a double bassist, which has informed his versatile approach to orchestral leadership.