A cantor is a person who leads the singing in a religious service, especially in Jewish or Christian worship. In a synagogue, the cantor chants prayers and portions of the Torah in Hebrew, using ancient musical traditions passed down through generations. Their voice helps the congregation connect to the prayers emotionally and spiritually.

The word comes from Latin meaning “singer,” and historically, cantors were some of the most trained musicians in their communities. In medieval churches, cantors not only led singing but often taught music and maintained the church's collection of musical manuscripts. Johann Sebastian Bach, one of history's greatest composers, worked as a cantor in Leipzig, Germany, where he wrote music and directed choirs.

Today's cantors often study for years to learn the complex melodies and traditions of religious music. In Jewish congregations, cantors typically undergo extensive training in Hebrew, music theory, and the specific chanting styles used for different prayers and occasions. Some melodies cantors use are thousands of years old, connecting modern worshippers to their ancient ancestors through the power of music and voice.