Meet the Musicians

THE VENUE

Katz JCC

1301 Springdale Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

David Kreppel has worked for over 25 years as conductor, music director, arranger and orchestrator. In addition to being the Music Supervisor for the Broadway and North American touring productions, David continues to serve as Associate Music Supervisor for The Lion King worldwide, is an Assistant Conductor for Aladdin on Broadway and an Adjunct Professor at NYU Steinhart. Selected additional Broadway credits include Sister Act, Rock of Ages, A Chorus Line, Memphis, Tarzan, The Little Mermaid, and Saturday Night Fever. He was vocal arranger for Bandstand (Broadway / Tour), music supervisor / arranger for the US Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Broadway Dolls. Regional credits include work with The Old Globe, Cincinnati Playhouse and The Signature Theatre. His arrangements have been heard across the country, on multiple television shows, the Tony Awards and even the floor of the US Senate. Originally from Cincinnati and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, David appeared on stage in dozens of productions before jumping into the pit full time.

Music Director

David Kreppel has worked for over 25 years as conductor, music director, arranger and orchestrator. In addition to being the Music Supervisor for the Broadway and North American touring productions, David continues to serve as Associate Music Supervisor for The Lion King worldwide, is an Assistant Conductor for Aladdin on Broadway and an Adjunct Professor at NYU Steinhart. Selected additional Broadway credits include Sister Act, Rock of Ages, A Chorus Line, Memphis, Tarzan, The Little Mermaid, and Saturday Night Fever. He was vocal arranger for Bandstand (Broadway / Tour), music supervisor / arranger for the US Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Broadway Dolls. Regional credits include work with The Old Globe, Cincinnati Playhouse and The Signature Theatre. His arrangements have been heard across the country, on multiple television shows, the Tony Awards and even the floor of the US Senate. Originally from Cincinnati and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, David appeared on stage in dozens of productions before jumping into the pit full time.

David Kreppel

Justin Rothberg is a New York City–based freelance guitarist and multi-instrumentalist active in jazz, contemporary music, and musical theater. He has performed with artists including Itzhak Perlman, Petula Clark, Bernadette Peters, Wayne Newton, Nicole Scherzinger, and The Orchestra of St. Luke’s, with appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Today Show, and NPR’s Tiny Desk. His Broadway credits include Sunset Boulevard, Spamalot, Bad Cinderella, Kiss Me, Kate, Bat Out of Hell, Gettin' the Band Back Together, and Home for the Holidays. His original project “The Justin Rothberg Group” released its third album, Hurricane Mouse, and plays in New York City.

Guitar

Justin Rothberg is a New York City–based freelance guitarist and multi-instrumentalist active in jazz, contemporary music, and musical theater. He has performed with artists including Itzhak Perlman, Petula Clark, Bernadette Peters, Wayne Newton, Nicole Scherzinger, and The Orchestra of St. Luke’s, with appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Today Show, and NPR’s Tiny Desk. His Broadway credits include Sunset Boulevard, Spamalot, Bad Cinderella, Kiss Me, Kate, Bat Out of Hell, Gettin' the Band Back Together, and Home for the Holidays. His original project “The Justin Rothberg Group” released its third album, Hurricane Mouse, and plays in New York City.

Justin H. Rothberg

Piano

David Weiss is currently serving as Resident Bassist at the Walnut Street Theatre, where he performs across a wide range of theatrical productions. He is also an active studio musician, recording with producer Larry Gold on projects featuring artists such as Lil Uzi Vert and Bruno Mars. His theatrical credits include productions at Bucks County Playhouse, Media Theatre, and the Delaware Theatre Company.

In the orchestral and festival world, David serves as Section Bassist with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. He is a Resident Artist at the Caroga Lake Music Festival and has held positions with several regional ensembles, also including serving as Co-Principal Bass of the Vratsa Symphony in Bulgaria. Alongside his performing career, David is a dedicated educator. He currently teaches strings at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School and the Philadelphia Charter School for Arts & Sciences, and works as a substitute teacher with Play On Philly. His previous teaching experience includes work with the Philadelphia Temple String Project, where he mentored young string players.

David holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Performance from Temple University, as well as an Artist Diploma from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings.

Bass

David Weiss is currently serving as Resident Bassist at the Walnut Street Theatre, where he performs across a wide range of theatrical productions. He is also an active studio musician, recording with producer Larry Gold on projects featuring artists such as Lil Uzi Vert and Bruno Mars. His theatrical credits include productions at Bucks County Playhouse, Media Theatre, and the Delaware Theatre Company.

In the orchestral and festival world, David serves as Section Bassist with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. He is a Resident Artist at the Caroga Lake Music Festival and has held positions with several regional ensembles, also including serving as Co-Principal Bass of the Vratsa Symphony in Bulgaria. Alongside his performing career, David is a dedicated educator. He currently teaches strings at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School and the Philadelphia Charter School for Arts & Sciences, and works as a substitute teacher with Play On Philly. His previous teaching experience includes work with the Philadelphia Temple String Project, where he mentored young string players.

David holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Performance from Temple University, as well as an Artist Diploma from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings.

David N. Weiss

Rachel Massey is a violinist, violist, and actor-musician based in the Philadelphia area. As a classical musician, Rachel performs with orchestras such as the Allentown, Delaware, Reading, and Bay Atlantic Symphonies and as a regular guest artist at Helena, Billings, and Bozeman Symphonies in Montana. She has been seen on stage at Delaware Theatre Company (Barrymore Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Man of La Mancha), Arden Theatre Company (Barrymore Nominee for Outstanding Ensemble, Indecent), People’s Light (Shakespeare in Love), and at Theatre Horizon, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Ancram Arts Center, and Joe's Pub in Penelope.

Violin

Rachel Massey is a violinist, violist, and actor-musician based in the Philadelphia area. As a classical musician, Rachel performs with orchestras such as the Allentown, Delaware, Reading, and Bay Atlantic Symphonies and as a regular guest artist at Helena, Billings, and Bozeman Symphonies in Montana. She has been seen on stage at Delaware Theatre Company (Barrymore Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Man of La Mancha), Arden Theatre Company (Barrymore Nominee for Outstanding Ensemble, Indecent), People’s Light (Shakespeare in Love), and at Theatre Horizon, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Ancram Arts Center, and Joe's Pub in Penelope.

Rachel Massey

Kevin Blanke is a drummer, percussionist and educator based in the Philadelphia area. Hailing from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Kevin studied under Joe Nero and Erik Johnson at the University of the Arts, receiving a degree in Jazz Instrumental Performance and a Masters in Music Education in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Since graduating, he has been a fixture in the Greater Philadelphia music scene, as well as playing clubs and venues in New York City. Since 2021, Kevin has been the house percussionist at the Walnut Street Theatre, taking over the chair that was helmed by his mentor, Joe Nero. In addition a busy playing schedule, he also teaches privately and is the percussion teacher at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ.

Drums

Kevin Blanke is a drummer, percussionist and educator based in the Philadelphia area. Hailing from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Kevin studied under Joe Nero and Erik Johnson at the University of the Arts, receiving a degree in Jazz Instrumental Performance and a Masters in Music Education in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Since graduating, he has been a fixture in the Greater Philadelphia music scene, as well as playing clubs and venues in New York City. Since 2021, Kevin has been the house percussionist at the Walnut Street Theatre, taking over the chair that was helmed by his mentor, Joe Nero. In addition a busy playing schedule, he also teaches privately and is the percussion teacher at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ.

Kevin Blanke

Sean Bailey enjoys an active, interdisciplinary musical life in the Philadelphia area.

Reeds

Sean Bailey enjoys an active, interdisciplinary musical life in the Philadelphia area.

Sean Bailey