Benjamin Gruder

Benjamin Gruder is the Artistic Director and Conductor of Kol Rinah, the Jewish Chorale of Westchester.  He also directs both Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale and the Society for the Advancement of Judaism (SAJ) choir in New York City. A trumpet player since the age of seven and bassist after that, he has performed in symphonic, jazz, ethnic, and punk rock ensembles.  Ben studied conducting at the University of Memphis and song writing with Jeremy Wall, founding member of Spyrogyra and a Grammy nominee.  In addition to arranging and composing choral and instrumental pieces, he created and produced Jonah! A Rock Musical which has been performed in New York and the surrounding metropolitan area.