Regina Spektor was born in Moscow, USSR to a musical Jewish family. Her father, Ilya Spektor, is a photographer and violinist. Her mother, Bella Spektor, was a music professor in a Russian college of music and now teaches at a public elementary school in New York. Spektor learned how to play piano by practicing on a Petrof upright that was given to her mother by her grandfather. The family left the Soviet Union in 1989 due to the ethnic and political discrimination which Jews faced; Regina was nine and had to leave her piano behind.The family settled in the Bronx, New York, where Spektor graduated in Fair Lawn public high school. She gradually achieved recognition through performances in the anti-folk scene in downtown New York City, most importantly at the East Village's Sidewalk Cafe. She sold self-produced CDs at her performances during this period: 11:11 (2001) and Songs (2002). Her other album Soviet Kitsch (2004) was also self produced but Sire and Shoplifter Records help produce the album, while Begin to Hope (2006) was completely produced by Spire records. Regina Spektor is best known for her real lyrics that are supported with her completely recognizable and unique voice.
Father is a violinist and mother is a music teacher.Moved to the Bronx from Moscow and had to leave the family piano behind.Spektor went to college at SUNY Purchase in New York.Master and Margarita is one her favorite books.Signed by Sire Records.Her family had to leave the Soviet Union because of the discrimination Jewish people faced.Lives in New York City.Performed a Duet with The Strokes, "Modern Girls & Old Fashioned Men", on the B-Side of their single "Reptilia".Was an opening act for The Strokes on their first Tour.She performed the song The Call in "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian", as part of the film's finale sequence. Spektor wrote this song especially for the film.Her first two English words were "garbage" and "sneakers.".Married her boyfriend of 6 years Jack Dishel after a 16-month-long engagement. [December 18, 2011]
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It's to music what the bagel is to food - a Jewish staple that has transcended its origins and become a worldwide hit. Bob Dylan sang it. Elvis, too. And that's only the beginning when it comes to Hava Nagila. Follow the infectious party song on its fascinating journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the cul-de-sacs of America in this hilarious and surprisingly deep film. Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Connie Francis, Glen Campbell, Leonard Nimoy, Regina Spektor and more, HAVA NAGILA (THE MOVIE) takes viewers from Ukraine and Israel to the Catskills, Greenwich Village and Hollywood, using the song as a springboard to explore Jewish history and identity and to spotlight the cross-cultural connections that can only be achieved through music.