Jordan bachmann

Jordan Bachmann first joined PM as an actor in high school 10 years ago, playing Rolf in the Sound of Music. He rejoined the organization after college with Sweeney Todd (2017), and most recently R&H’s Cinderella in 2019. It was this production that inspired him to run for the Board, experiencing first-hand the talents and potential of this wonderful community. Then, after 2 years of Covid, he had the honor of serving as President this past year as we all geared up for our big comeback performance.

Outside of PM, Jordan works as a 401k Operations Analyst at Paychex and as the Bass Soloist at Asbury First UMC. He studied Vocal performance in college and received his BA in Voice from SUNY Geneseo in 2017. He pursues voiceover as a profession and as a hobby, managing and directing several small indie videogame projects. He has performed in dozens of shows over the years, both at school and in the Rochester community, with groups such as JCC CenterStage, Blackfriars Theatre, Robert’s Wesleyan College Community Theater, Webster Theater Guild, and others.

Jordan is grateful and proud to be ending his first term on the PM Board of Directors on such a high note. It has been a unique three years for the organization, for obvious reasons. Every success and every failure has been a valuable learning experience, and he intends to carry each of them into the next 3 years with this incredibly resilient and passionate group.

RACHEL BENJAMIN

Rachel Benjamin joined the Pittsford Musicals community back in 2019 with the cast of Cinderella. After the COVID 19 hiatus, Rachel is thrilled to be back performing in Beauty and the Beast. Aside from Pittsford Musicals, Rachel has had the pleasure of participating in other theatre groups such as OFC Creations. Rachel started performing in productions at 9 years old and is passionate about keeping theatre as a part of her life. She hopes to help provide this same opportunity for others by serving on the board of directors.

Rachel majored in Spanish education with a minor in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College. She currently teaches at the West Irondequoit school district as a middle school Spanish teacher. In the past, Rachel has worked with other school districts as a vocal coach for the school musicals and has had leadership roles in her church’s music group. These experiences have helped to develop the skills necessary to be on the board such as clear communication, exceptional organization, and endless creativity. Rachel would be honored to serve on the board of such an outstanding organization and is looking forward to many more productions in the years to come.

linda gressell

Linda has been involved in community theater since she was 12. A Pittsford Sutherland grad, she received her degree in Vocal Performance from DePaul University in Chicago. Linda is passionate about community theater and loves the way it brings people of all backgrounds together.

With Pittsford Musicals, she has performed in A Little Night Music, Cabaret, Wizard of Oz and Sweeney Todd, and previously served on the board for two terms.

A collaborator at heart, she hopes to bring new ideas to the organization while maintaining what the heart of PM stands for.

Linda has worked at the University of Rochester for 20 years in Advancement. She and her husband Chris are parents to two beautiful boys Noah and Hudson. They reside in Pittsford.

ROBiN MORRIS-GAYLORD

Robin is honored to be considered for the opportunity to serve on the Pittsford Musicals board. She’s been a part of PM since 2017 when she played Mrs. Fogg in Sweeney Todd, was a member of the Ensemble for the 50 Years of Song and Dance in 2018 and is now an enthusiastic and “enchanted” Ensemble member in PM’s current 2023 production of Beauty & the Beast.

Robin has been cast and performed in multiple productions locally as lead and supporting roles with Webster Theater Guild, Everyone’s Theatre Company, NTID Performing Arts Theatre, Penfield Players, Out of Pocket Productions, Off-Monroe Players, JCC CenterStage, and many others. She’s a member of the Rochester Oratorio Society and has appeared as a featured Soprano soloist in several of their concert performances since 2014.  She’s also had the pleasure of serving on the Off-Monroe Players Board of Directors and created several logos and production print and digital advertising pieces for OMP, the former Rochester Lyric Opera, the Rochester City Ballet, and the Rochester Oratorio Society. 

Robin received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Graphic Arts) from the State University at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  She currently works as a Purchasing Area Manager for Wegmans Food Markets’ Corporate team where she spends her time assisting with supplier contract negotiations, analyzing and reporting on commodity market trends, and sourcing items and ingredients for Wegmans Retail and Manufacturing divisions.  In earlier parts of her career, she spent time as a Manufacturing Buyer, Supply Chain Analyst, Logistics Coordinator, and as a Wegmans Retail Project Manager.

She has a passion for food, but especially a passion for the arts, and would love the chance to use her diverse portfolio of skills to serve the Pittsford and local theatre community by assisting PM in their continued efforts to provide high quality community theatre to Rochester and its surrounding areas. She sincerely thanks you and is grateful for your time and consideration.

WILL RUIZ

William Ruiz joined the Pittsford Musicals family in 2012 as a cast member in the production of Chicago. Since then, Will has remained involved with the organization as a cast member in many productions and as a past member of the Board of Directors. As a cast member, some of Will’s favorite performances with PM include Cinderella (2019), The Wizard of Oz (2016), Cabaret (2015), Curtains (2014), and A Chorus Line (2013). As a member of the PM Board of Directors, Will has previously served two 3-year terms, taking on the roles of President, Secretary, and Chair of Marketing along the way.

In addition to his experience with Pittsford Musicals, Will has also worked with many other theatre groups across Rochester, including GEVA, Blackfriars Theatre, Webster Theatre Guide, Roberts Wesleyan College Community Theatre, and the SUNY Brockport Theatre Department. Will also served as Assistant Director and Choreographer for the East Irondequoit Middle School Drama Club during his 10 years at the school as a Spanish Teacher. 

Will currently works at SUNY Brockport as the Associate Director of the Center for Graduate Studies. He looks forward to using his skills and experience to contribute to the ongoing success of Pittsford Musicals.