KVELL as one
more than a cappella;
We’re family.
Sing together. Sheb nachas together. We create unique connections with our audiences. Together, we’ll learn something new about what it means to be Jewish and to have an everlasting connection to the State of Israel.
Scroll down to learn more about our performances and meet the band.
Planning a gala is a lot of work and can be stressful. However, working with Listen Up! was the least stressful part of it. It turned out to be the most enjoyable part of the Gala evening, as well!
Lauren berman, beth el synagogue, east windsor, new jersey
STEVE SINGER
MUSICAL DIRECTOR / ARRANGER / BASS / PERCUSSION
Although he was trained as a molecular neuropharmacologist, “Dr. Steve” is simply Chief Noisemaker in the band. As a percussionist, Steve loves experimenting with new sounds that give Listen Up! its eclectic flair and rhythmic soul. Steve’s award-winning vocal arrangements speak for themselves. All told, Steve is so thankful that this uncommon vocal band has provided a home for his creative energies since 1992. Steve lives in Skokie with his musical wife (and founding member) Rebecca Klein Singer. (They have 3 musical kids.) Steve is the founder and host of the Jewish Song Show, a new educational podcast in development.
Rebecca Klein Singer
alto lead
Rebecca is happy to be returning to the stage with Listen Up! after a 19 year hiatus! Rebecca’s smiling timbre launched the group… and was how she and Steve met. (Ask her to tell you the whole story!) Rebecca performed and directed musicals at Ramah, sang a cappella at Columbia U., and has participated in a number of theatrical productions in Chicago. She’s a veteran early childhood educator, where she enjoys giving her students their first introduction to Jewish music. “There is nothing more uplifting than singing songs of our tefillot (prayers) and Israel in close harmony while audiences sing along to the songs of their youth.”
ELI TAYLOR
TENOR LEAD
Eli Taylor is incredibly proud to be a part of such a wonderful and talented group of musicians. He began singing with Listen Up! in 2014. Eli first discovered his love for performing when he received his first substantial role as lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at age 16. From then on he looked for every opportunity that would allow him to sing. Eli received a BFA in Theatre Arts from The Theatre School at DePaul University. Eli lives in Skokie with his wife and they are enjoying experiencing the world through their toddler’s eyes. Eli is keeping his family, friends and all of Israel in his prayers and encourages those who wish to help support Israeli soldiers and families to consider purchasing one of the
JNF-USA’s Israel Support Packages!
ARON WOLGEL
BARITONE / BASS
As its newest member, Aron is excited to be singing with Listen Up! Aron’s musical journey began with college a cappella as a member of Brandeis VoiceMale. Aron is a composer, arranger, and enjoys writing comedic parody lyrics for several Jewish music groups. He is currently working on his first album of original compositions. Professionally, Aron is an Jewish educator. He is also a sports enthusiast with a particular passion for ultimate frisbee. Fun fact: he loves chicken soup and (more than once!) has eaten a full tureen in one sitting. Aron lives in Chicago with his wife and their twins.
yoni eisenstein
GUEST vocalist
Yoni earned his BFA in classical percussion at the Univ. of Iowa. He’s the lead singer in Chicago wedding band, Standing Room Only, and music director for Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob synagogue. An active clinician and teacher, he’s working on his solo debut and opened for Yonina! #musicalmarimba
freddie feldman
GUEST vocalist
A ten-year veteran of LU!, Freddie graduated from Northwestern U. with a double-degree in voice and engineering. He’s a musician, engineer, inventor, dad, husband, mentsch… and challah artist!
Kadi house
GUEST vocalist
#LadyKadi has been singing with LU! since 2019. She’s a Jewish educator, song leader, Jewish Swiftie, #craftedbykadi Etsy entrepreneur… and ran her first Chicago Marathon in 2023!
Eclectic music
Our repertoire is drawn from a dizzying array of Jewish and secular genres from Yiddish Swing to the Beatles to Israeli pop. There’s something for everyone… like a good kiddush.
a big sound
You haven’t heard anything quite like this. Powerful harmonies and percussion that you can feel in your kishkes. When you close your eyes, you’ll hear a band… from our soaring lead vocals to the thundering bass.
your turn to sing
Don’t expect to sit back and watch the show. Our performances are highly interactive with audience involvement and singing.
let us show you
Our performance is a multimedia experience, with projected visuals that help us explore the music together… and you might even learn something. We bring Jewish music to life.
Out-of-the-box!
Working with Listen Up! was a delight. They were willing to think out-of-the-box in finding ways to engage all ages. They were fun, friendly, and easily approach-able. The tunes were memorable enough that it gave the opportunity for new fans to sing along. I would love to work with them in the future.
Elizabeth Singer, Temple Judea, Fort Myers, FL
Emotional!
I could not believe how beautiful their voices were – and how emotional their performance made me feel. Their music made me feel I was home again in Israel.
Lior Kakon, American Friends of Israel War Disabled Foundation
Delight!
Hiring Listen Up! to perform at our synagogue for our spring fundraiser was a success, and the ‘band’ was a joy to spend the day with! Our audience enjoyed the afternoon concert and left wanting more. They spent the morning singing with our children’s groups and had our Hazzan join them on stage. What a delight!
Amy Cytron, Adath Jeshurun Congregation, Minnetonka, MN
We had listen up! for our yom ha’Atzma’ut celebration. there were easy to work with, sounded great, and were enjoyed by a diverse crowd.
Rabbi hannah greenstein, milwaukee jewish federation
Ready to get started?
We can’t wait to share our music with your community! Click on the button to get started with bringing Listen Up! to your event.