SONGLEADING "Rory is the type of song leader who comes thoroughly prepared with new material and ideas for incorporating movement and engagement into any song, prayer or story-telling session. She is joyful and full of enthusiasm on a stage, park lawn, synagogue basement, bookstore nook or any other space. She is a natural and it’s clear that she just loves singing Jewish songs to children and families. It’s a passion and anyone can see it right away." - Leemor Ellman, Director, Empowerment for Families with Young Children, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ
"As co-creator and co-leader of our 'healing service,' Rory Michelle's insightful input, radiant presence and beautiful soul helped to create a truly sacred space where people could process their fears and struggles through prayer, meditation, sharing and song. The melodies she contributed and the words she shared enabled everyone to feel safe and supported, and helped to build a true sense of community and healing among all who were fortunate enough to be in her presence." - Rabbi Lori Koffman, Director of Congregational Support/Adult Education, Central Synagogue, NYC
"We were blessed to have Rory Michelle join our preschool community for a Family Shabbat. Rory Michelle's warmth, beautiful voice, and ability to connect with both children and adults created a special family event. We hope to have her join us again and we're glad she is now residing in our city." - Risa Young, Director of Early Childhood Education, Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel
"Rory does amazing work with the youngest members of our community and is also a master at engaging parents". - Rabbi Ravid Tilles, Merrick Jewish Centre
"Rory’s ability to engage children of all ages in singing and enjoying music is amazing. She really is able to get them excited about learning a new song and tune. It is truly a gift! During our final program at the Jewish Learning Center, Rory not only got the students singing, but the parents were equally engaged and enthusiastic, joining in the songs and fun. There was endless Ruach (spirit) in the room! In Rory’s teaching style she always strives for the “out of the box” ideas to bring to her lessons. She will not settle for the pedestrian way of teaching a song or introducing a new tune for a standard prayer. Students are genuinely excited to come to Rory’s shira (music) session. I have seen Rory grow over the years as a song leader and teacher. She has become one of the best I have seen!" - Rivka Nelson, Director of Religious Education, Jewish Learning Center, Congregation Beth-El NJ
"Rory Michelle Sullivan is a phenomenal musician, educator, and song leader! Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious. She had people of all ages up on their feet, singing, clapping, and jumping. She is equally comfortable with adults and children of all ages, and she has a lovely way of connecting with and including everyone. At our Sukkot celebration, she led a program for adults that was deeply personal and meaningful. I wasn’t sure all of the participants would be comfortable, but she had everyone sharing in meaningful ways. There was laughter and a few tears. What a beautiful way to start a new year." - Rabbi Hannah Orden, Congregation Beth Hatikvah (Summit, NJ)
My daughter and I were in Rory's music class at Park Avenue Synagogue and she was great! Really enthusiastic, engaging and accommodating (I think all of the qualities you'd want to see in a child's music class). My daughter always looked forward to classes with Rory and we hope to see her again! - Rachel Mattes Greenberg, parent, Park Avenue Synagogue
CONCERTS "Your concert was sensational. Your music engaged the audience immediately and had everyone singing and playing along." - Susan Zeitlin, Congregation Tifereth Israel
"Great concert, powerful, inspirational, really hit a chord in me. Looking forward to more beautiful music, Rory." - Betsy Schreiber, Congregation Tifereth Israel
"You are a joyous, inspirational artist and I'm glad many people got to witness your talents!" - Nita Noveno, writer and host of NYC's Sunday Salon series
"The music was terrific, and your personality and delivery were irresistible!" - Anna Gabrieli, former classical voice teacher
"It was a blast and I can't stop thinking about how great your performance was. Watching you sing was entrancing." - Kenneth R. Fisher Jr, Producer/DJ
"Your songs are heartfelt and evocative and I always enjoy your singing." - Jim Leffert, Worship & Study Minyan, Harvard Hillel
"Like many great artists, the creative brilliance of Rory Michelle becomes immediately apparent as soon as you experience her music for the first time - clever, honest, soul-baring folk songs that transcend place, time and circumstance and stir the imagination and tug gently but deservedly and genuinely at your heartstrings. As timeless as the ocean tides, Rory’s music would have been equally at home in 1962, 1972, 1982 or 2016 and her songs would still reverberate strongly with her audience, and immediately feel like home and comfort and solace. Like all truly great art, it becomes more than the sum of its parts by taking on new individual meaning for everyone who listens. To prove it, I challenge anyone to listen to Rory sing “The Beach Song” live and not be moved to feel something both beautiful and profoundly personal." - Ryan Baker, music aficionado
"You were superb!! Amazing. Great voice, great lyrics, music, and rapport with the audience." - Jerry Shinfeld, singer-songwriter and Patron on Patreon
MUSIC "GOOD GRAVY! You have an amazing voice and I'm hooked one song in." - Joe Buchanan, composer, musician, and host of Jewish Rock Radio's Emerging Artist Showcase
Praise for The God Album (no pun intended): "most enjoyable ... worshipful as well as fun." - Waynetta Washington, listener "I put on your album last night and loved it and all today my family has played it on repeat. Love your liner notes, too." - Sonia Gordon-Walinsky, Artist-Educator, pasukart.com
"Your voice is beautiful and your songs meaningful... your spirit is contagious, and the melodies stay in my head!" - Kim Childs, Life, Career and Creativity Coach
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS "Rory led a fantastic workshop for our teen songleaders! The kids were thoroughly engaged and responded eagerly to Rory's bubbling positivity and enthusiasm." - Cantor Jamie Marx, Temple Sholom in Broomall
"I loved Rory's class and how the music brought a biblical Torah story to life and made it feel new and relevant to me today. Music is the language of the heart and through Rory's song I was able to feel and understand the story in a deep and meaningful way. Sometimes ancient texts are hard to relate to but Rory's song changed that completely through the timeless language of music. Thanks Rory!" - Julie Eisen, Limmud NY session participant
"I was privileged to learn about Rabban Gamliel, a reknowned, albeit controversial Hebrew scholar who lived 2,000 years ago, during an outstanding lecture and musical presentation given by Rory Michelle. In her beautifully written original song, 'Rabban Gamliel', Rory Michelle brought Rabban Gamliel and his mission to save the Torah to life, keeping its values of humility, decency, preservation and innovation, relevant for generations to come, in a most pleasant and inspirational format. How special it was to learn about this facet of my Jewish history in such an upbeat and memorable way! The 'Rabban Gamliel' song is one of eight on Rory Michelle's latest disc, 'The God Album', which I highly recommend to all!" - Ellen Portnoy, Limmud NY session participant
RECORDING ARTIST "...As a result of this experience, I appreciated your professionalism even more than I did previously. You sound terrific; your interpretation is terrific, and you always hit both the pitch and the time with pinpoint accuracy. I hope others appreciate your skill and artistry as much as I do." - Dave Rosenthal, composer