Currently, Annelise Ocanto is serving her second year as cantorial intern at Temple Beth Rishon. Annelise is in her 5th and final year of study at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School at The Jewish Theological Seminary and plans to graduate in May 2012.
Born in Boston, MA, Annelise grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, Gainesville, FL, and finally Omaha, Nebraska, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in English as a Second Language, and a minor in Music from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has taught both in public schools and religious schools in the Nebraska and New York areas. Her family is originally from Venezuela, and she enjoys salsa dancing.
While studying at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School, Annelise is a very active leader in the JTS community. She recently finished her term as President of the Cantorial School Student Organization and has been also been very involved in planning and implementing the annual H.L. Miller Cantorial School Tzedakah Concert. This past summer, Annelise participated in the intensive Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program through the Center for Pastoral Care at JTS. She has also served as cantor for the High Holy days in Sosua, Dominican Republic and Youngstown, Ohio.
