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Gillian Berkowitz

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BIO

An in demand New York pianist and music director, Gillian Berkowitz has performed piano, keyboard, accordion, and vocals in over 40 Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.


She has partnered with Krug Champagne creating music for Krug Echo tastings in New York. Working with Kevin Duda Productions , Gillian collaborated with the team creating a new show for the high seas of Regent Cruise Lines. Stay tuned! Recently she was featured in the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra's Duo Pianist Gala as both performer and arranger. Currently performing in Hamilton and Some Like It Hot.

Gillian was the Pianist in The Lehman Trilogy(Director Sam Mendes) at the Nederlander Theatre, as well as onstage pump organist in the acclaimed Broadway play To Kill A Mockingbird (adapted by Aaron Sorkin,directed by Barlett Sher).Past engagements include Music Director for Everyone Comes To Elaine's workshop (Jeff Calhoun director). She also served as Associate Conductor of Avenue Q. Previous credits include Pianist for the British productions of The Lehman Trilogy: both at the Piccadilly Theatre in London's West End and for the US Premiere at The Park Avenue Armory. (www.armoryonpark.org)
Some favorite past shows have included Billy Elliot, Wicked, Head Over Heels, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying(Daniel Radcliffe), Summer, Rocky, A Bronx Tale, Mamma Mia!, School Of Rock, and Jersey Boys.
Gillian has music directed dozens of new works throughout her career and has been on the creative team at the O’Neil Theatre Conference, NYMF, NAMT, Playwrights Horizons, Human Race Theatre, and Goodspeed. She is a regular contributing music director at 92nd Street Y, NYU’s Musical Theatre Composition program, TACT, and Lincoln Center's Songbook Series, and has served on faculty for Italy's Music Academy International: Trentino Music Festival Per Mezzano Romantica.
She has been featured as both a soloist and collaborator playing jazz, pop, classical, contemporary, and theatre music in venues across New York City including The Rainbow Room, 54 Below, Jazz At Lincoln Center, Green Room 42, Park Avenue Armory, Town Hall, Birdland, Merkin Hall, City Winery, Le Poisson Rouge, and both the Consulate General of Hungary and the Australian Consulate.
Her two trios: City Swing Trio and The Whitetail Trio perform for corporate and private events across New York and New England. She has also performs with the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra. Gillian has conducted When You’re In Love, the Whole World is Jewish in collaboration with Jason Alexander and music directed productions of Vanishing Point: A New Musical www.vanishingpointthemusical.com/Home.html She composes and performs with The Sheba Ensemble, promoting Jewish music with a unique contemporary twist (www.theshebaensemble.com) and is a pianist for Scarlett Entertainment and Honeydew Artists. Gillian is also an adjunct faculty member at Pace University.

She holds a double Bachelors of Music in Performance and Music Education from Ithaca College, and a Master of Music degree in Jazz and Commercial Music and Composition from NYU.

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Music Director

Videos

News


EMPIRE: THE MUSICAL to Release Original Cast Album

EMPIRE: The Musical Original Off-Broadway Cast album will be released this winter. The story is told through the lens of three generations of dreamers and doers spanning New York City in the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and the Bicentennial Year of 1976. Learn more about the show and about the album.
Video: EMPIRE: THE MUSICAL at New World Stages

Get a first look at Empire: The Musical at New World Stages! Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Get a First Look at EMPIRE: THE MUSICAL at New World Stages

Get a first look at photos of Empire: The Musical at New World Stages! Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
EMPIRE: THE MUSICAL to Premiere at New World Stages in July

EMPIRE: The Musical, will premiere in its hometown, New York City at New World Stages. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
Review: Nic and Desi Tap the Night Away in BUBBLES AND TAPS at Green Room 42

Nicholas Dromard and Desiree Davar, or Nic and Desi as they’re more familiarly known, were utterly charming at their March 23rd show, Bubbles and Taps, at Green Room 42. The married couple are true triple threats. In addition to their singing and acting chops, they’re both trained dancers. Their adorable daughter even made a special appearnace!
Photos: Nicolas Dromard & Desiree Davar 'Bubbles and Taps' at Green Room 42

Nicolas Dromard and Desiree Davar brought their show “Bubbles and Taps” to Manhattan’s Green Room 42 stage on March 23rd. The show is a perfect blend of full out tap, jazz, & ballroom dancing with genuine full-throated singing in a Pop and Broadway style. There are tributes to both Broadway and some of Bway's favorite stars.
Charles Sanchez Brings LIFE IS FABULOUS! to The Laurie Beechman Theatre

On Saturday, November 4th, 2023, at 9:30 pm, the Laurie Beechman Theatre presents a touching evening, marking the 20th anniversary of Charles Sanchez's HIV/AIDS diagnosis, led by the indomitable Mr. Sanchez himself and featuring the brilliant compositions of Joel B. New.
Listen: BAND GEEKS Studio Cast Recording Featuring Lindsay Mendez, Ruthie Ann Miles, Patti Murin & More Out Now

Band Geeks: Original Studio Cast Recording has been released in digital and streaming formats! Listen now!
Nicolas Dromard & Desiree Davar to Return to The Green Room 42 With SUPERHEROES IN LOVE: SUMMER LOVIN'

Broadway stars and real-life couple Nicolas & Desiree will return to Green Room 42 with Superheroes in Love: Summer Lovin’.
R.E.D. HAT FIGHT CLUB Musical Parody to be Presented at The Green Room 42 on Mother's Day

Just in time for Mother’s Day, The Green Room 42 will present the world premiere concert of R.E.D. Hat Fight Club, with Broadway performers in an utterly ridiculous and overtly queer musical parody.
Photos: Nicolas Dromard & Desirée Davar Present SUPERHEROES IN LOVE at 54 Below

Real-life couple and onstage song and dance duo Nicolas Dromard & Desirée Davar returned to 54 Below last night with their show SUPERHEROES IN LOVE.
Storm Large, Nicolas Dromard and Desiree Davar, and More To Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. 
Donna McKechnie, Taylor Iman Jones & More to Perform at 54 Below in March

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.
Nicolas Dromard and Desiree Davar Return To 54 Below in March

Two triple threats walk into a cabaret…and magic happens. There’s no punchline here; just an evening of show-stopping, heartfelt, and high-octane entertainment. 
SUPERHEROES IN LOVE Holiday Special Comes to The Green Room 42

Green Room 42, Broadway's funkiest cabaret club located in YOTEL Times Square, presents Nicolas Dromard and Desirée Davar in Superheroes in Love Holiday Special on December 10th at 9:30 p.m.
THE PRETTY PANTS BANDIT Teaser Concert Announced At Ripley Grier Studios This Month

CHASE PEACOCK & JESSICA DE MARIA present a 30 minute teaser concert of their original musical, THE PRETTY PANTS BANDIT, Thursday November 17th, 2pm at Ripley Grier Studios (520 8th Avenue, Studio 17 T).
BWW Interview: Composer/Sound Designer Nick Powell Making Integral Music For THE LEHMAN TRILOGY

The critically acclaimed The Lehman Trilogy opens March 6, 2022, at the Ahmanson after its successful runs on Broadway and the West End. Multi-award-winning Sam Mendes directs Simon Russell Beale and Adam Godley reprising their Broadway roles, with Howard W. Overshown who understudied in the Broadway production. Playwright Ben Power has adapted Stefano Massini’s original script on the deep-dive history of the Lehman Brothers investment banking company. I had the opportunity to speak with The Lehman Trilogy’s composer/sound designer Nick Powell just before going into dress rehearsal.
Bobby Daye and Michael Kostroff join Mary Testa In Reading of New Musical EVERYONE COMES TO ELAINE'S

New York Theatre Barn will present a reading of Everyone Comes to Elaine’s, a new musical about iconic restaurateur Elaine Kaufman with Tony Award® nominee Mary Testa (Oklahoma, The Gardens of Anuncia) in the title role. Bobby Daye (Moulin Rouge, Shrek, The Color Purple) and Michael Kostroff (HBO’s “The Wire”, The Producers) join Testa and the cast.
Photos: Joel B. New's TEMPTING MR. LINCOLN Premieres In Concert At Green Room 42

Joel B. New’s Tempting Mr. Lincoln premiered in concert at The Green Room 42 on Saturday, February 12th (Lincoln's birthday), directed by Stanley Martin (Aladdin) with musical direction by Gillian Berkowitz (Lehman Trilogy).
Notting Hill-Inspired Gay Musical Romcom Premieres At Green Room 42 Tonight

Joel B. New's musical comedy Tempting Mr. Lincoln premieres in concert tonight at The Green Room 42. The concert is directed by Stanley Martin (Aladdin) with musical direction by Gillian Berkowitz (Lehman Trilogy).

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