Aviva Chertok Li

Master violinist Aviva believes in making people happy though music.

During the pandemic, Aviva singlehandedly organized 50 violinists, one from every U.S. state, to play a piece of music in unison as a tribute of thanks to the healthcare workers. She has wide-ranging orchestral and chamber music experience, and teaches her craft to students through private lessons.

Aviva, who is Russian American, served as a Tikkun Fellow of JUF's Russian-speaking Jewish Division in 2021, and organized a theatrical concert featuring the music and stories of classical/modern Jewish composers called "Meet Me In A Moment," which continues to be performed.

Aviva earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in violin performance from the University of Michigan and Royal College of Music in London, respectively.

  She teamed up with her friend and former classmate Kate Lee to create the Music Alumni Scholarship at Vernon Hills High School, their alma mater. Every year, the scholarship gives money to a graduating senior who will be pursuing a music major in college.

AGE:
30

PRIMARY GIG:
Violinist and teacher: I organize chamber music concerts, recitals, and perform in my theatrical show, “Meet Me in a Moment.” I also teach private violin lessons to 20-plus students.

ON THE SIDE:
I play gigs around the city, including concerts at retirement homes and guest performances for various Jewish organizations and events.

SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME:
I like watching Chinese soap operas to help me study Mandarin!

YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:
Focus on the qualities you like best in the people around you. There will always be aspects of our friend, family, or colleague's personality that differs from us, something that will inevitably irritate or frustrate us. But when we focus on the things we love or appreciate about people, our relationships will be a source of positivity and joy.

IF TIME AND MONEY WERE LIMITLESS, I WOULD:
In Judaism, there's a concept that one should support one's family and relatives, then the community, and then look to helping the broader world. So, I would help all my relatives and friends with their financial needs, and then ask community leaders in Chicago what their greatest needs are and try to fill in the gaps. Then I would probably make aliyah with my family and live a philanthropic life in Israel.