Cantor Ian Camissar was born in London in 1948 into a Cantorial family.
At the age of 7 he joined the New Synagogue choir and by the age of 9 was their established soprano soloist. He conducted his own Friday night boys' choir at he age of 11 and became the official choirmaster at 18. During this time he conducted major world Chazzanim in the Edgeware Synagogue, including Cantors Malovany, Stern and Unger. He trained at Jews' College London in the Chazzanuth class under Cantor L. Bryll with the late Cantor Johnny Gluck of Johannesburg fame, where he received his Cantorial Diploma. At the age of 19, he received a call from the Harrogate Hebrew Congregation and became the youngest Minister/Chazan in the United Kingdom. He continued his studies at Leeds University where he received a Hebrew Diploma and later received an M.A. Degree from the Geneva Theological College. In 1975 he accepted the prestigious position of Chazan Rishon at the Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Synagogue in Leeds. During his time there he was the Musical Director of the Leeds Jewish Choral Society. He conducted his youth choir in concerts in Great Britain, Ireland, Israel and Belgium. He studied voice under Professor A. Howe of the Guildhall School of Music and under Jean Allister of English National Opera. Cantor Ian Camissar has performed in concerts all over Great Britain, United States, Europe, Israel and Australia and was the guest Chazan for the London Jewish Maile Choir in concerts in Great Britain and Israel. He has also appeared on British Television and radio and has featured in manor music festivals in England.
In 1995 he received a call from the Mother Synagogue of South Africa, The Cape Town Hebrew Congregation and immediately made a great impact on the local musical scene. He is the Musical Director of the Synagogue Choir and has formed a successful Concert Choir.
His greatest tribute so far in Cape Town was given to him by Maestro Bernhard Gueller, who after hearing him, at a Friday night service invited him to appear in concert with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Cantor Ian Camissar, possesses a beautiful lyric tenor voice and has delighted his congregation and visitors with his inspirational services. He is also the composer of many delightful Synagogue compositions which are sung regularly at the Mother Synagogue. Cantor Camissar is much in demand for concert work both locally and abroad.
He is married to Helene, who is a Capetonian and he readily admits that he receives so much of his inspiration and strength from her being at his side.