Community Synagogue Welcomes Cantor Daniel Mutlu

A new voice has been heard in Rye since July, when Community Synagogue welcomed Daniel Mutlu as its new Cantor. He succeeded Jonathan Comisar, who had served in that post for eight years and moved on to devote more time to music and composing.
While the cantor’s job is to lead the music in religious services, “it is so much more than that,” says Mutlu. He went on to list a range of activities, from preparing Bar or Bat Mitzvah students to teaching in the religious school. His position also involves sharing pastoral duties with the rabbi, such as conducting funerals, administering to those who are grieving, and making hospital visits.
Mutlu, who was raised in Worcester, Mass., is a first generation American; his grandparents and parents emigrated from Turkey. He became interested in music in high school and then attended the New England Conservatory of Music from which he received a Bachelor of Music degree in 2001.
After teaching elementary and middle school music in the Worcester public schools, Mutlu decided he wanted to be a cantor. He joined the five-year cantorial program at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC), including one year in Israel, and graduated this past June. As time permitted, he was Student Cantor and soloist at Temple Emanuel in Worcester.
As a child, Daniel Mutlu attended an Orthodox yeshiva and then had his Bar Mitzvah at a Conservative synagogue. Why then did he choose to associate with HUC and Community Synagogue, both of which are affiliated with the Jewish Reform movement? Mutlu explained that he valued the Reform movement’s philosophy, which gives individuals more “informed choice” and flexibility in deciding what observances are meaningful to them.
Cantor Mutlu has performed extensively in the New York City area, including the Trinity Choir concert series in Manhattan and in synagogues in both Westchester and New York City. To broaden the musical horizon at Community Synagogue, he has invited Andrew Sheranian, organist and choirmaster at Christ’s Church, Rye, to accompany him.
He and his wife, Nina, reside in Rye. They met as students at the New England Conservatory. She too has a singing career. In addition to singing, he also plays the piano and guitar and enjoys conducting and composing. Cantor Mutlu’s other interests include the Early Music Movement, keeping in shape, martial arts and reading non-fiction, especially on technical subjects.