“Gedalia Penner is a brilliant musician who is able to transform an entire congregation with his soulful music and deep understanding of tefillah. He is a generational talent.”
- Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld
Senior Rabbi, Ohev Sholom - The National Synagogue
Studying cantor, experiential music educator, and composer. Having sung in concert internationally with Y-Studs A Cappella and studied as a resident with award-winning musician and teacher Joey Weisenberg at the Rising Song Institute, Gedalia can lead song and create innovative and meaningful music/tefillah experiences for Jewish communities worldwide. He is currently a cantorial student at the H. L. Miller Cantorial School of JTS. Based on the principles of “musicking”, Gedalia believes that music is, and needn’t be anything more than an individual’s loving and effortless relationship with the songs and sounds of their unique life experience. He strives to build a Jewish world where everyone is heard and everyone knows that their voice matters.
“Gedalia is a gem of a singer and musical facilitator who brings deep Jewish and musical roots, a soulful and virtuosic voice, a creative and playful musical ear, and a sweetness and menschlichkeit to every group that he works with. Sing with him and be ready for tears and joy.”
- Joey Weisenberg, Founder/Creative Director of Hadar’s Rising Song Institute
Song Leading & Tefillah
As an alumnus of Hadar’s Rising Song Residency and a studying cantor, Gedalia excels at bringing out the very best music from within a community. Whether leading traditional tefillah, experimental prayer, song circles, kumsitzes or workshops, Gedalia leaves communities feeling inspired and profoundly in touch with the music inside them.
A Cappella
Gedalia’s musical career began, and will always be rooted, in a cappella. After six years with Y-Studs A Cappella, Gedalia has experience as a singer, musical director, arranger and consultant. Learn how Gedalia’s a cappella expertise can bring your group or community to the next level.
Singer-Songwriter Work
In addition to his work leading communities and singing a cappella, Gedalia provides a vast array of services as a solo artist, from wedding singing to cantorial performances to tutoring. Check out his original work!