Jocelyn Gross has been teaching music at Tulpehocken since 2013 and is the director of High School band and chorus.  In addition to producing musicals, she is the director of all three Show Choirs at "Tulpy." She has traveled with the Show Choir to perform in Boston, Williamsburg, and Disney.  

Mrs. Gross earned her Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Master's in Educational Development and Strategies from Wilkes University. She loves working alongside the amazing musical staff and being a part of putting incredible shows on stage.  When she isn't making music, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.  

Email: jgross@tulpehocken.org

Alexis Jenofsky has returned to Tulpehocken for year 7 to work with the talented students and wonderful musical staff. Outside of Tulpy, she works full time as the Director of Communications for the Upper Perkiomen School District.

Alexis has traveled and worked internationally in England with the English Touring Theatre and in India teaching theatre to young students at the Shanti Bhavan residential school. She has worked alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Lynn Nottage and Broadway director, Kate Whoriskey on an immersive transmedia project exploring the decline and rebirth of Reading, PA, as well as taught courses at the Yocum Arts Institute for Arts Education. For 5 summers, Alexis served as the Summer Musical Director at Olivet Boys and Girls Club Center for the Arts and assisted in the programs earning the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) Best of the Best award.

Alexis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Albright College and her Masters in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University.

Email: ajenofsky@gmail.com

Derrick L. Thompson, a native of Madison Heights, Virginia, is a distinguished musician and educator with degrees in music education, vocal performance, and choral conducting from Lynchburg College, Morgan State University, Messiah University, and Teachers College, Columbia University. His baritone voice has been featured in concert halls across the East Coast and China, performing oratorios, operas, and works from the African American diaspora. As a conductor and choral clinician, Dr. Thompson has led ensembles in K-12, higher education, church, and community settings. Through his work, he highlights the importance of choral music and showcases the works of marginalized composers.

His research interests focus on developing young voices, effective choral communication, and innovative teaching methods for choral and vocal settings. His scholarly work has been published in state music education and peer-reviewed journals.

With K-12 teaching experience in Virginia’s public schools, where he taught elementary general music and conducted secondary choirs, Dr. Thompson has nurtured many young musicians. Now in his sixth year of higher education, he serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, and Adjunct Instructor at Messiah University and Teachers College, Columbia University.

Email: derrickthompson1986@gmail.com

Angela DeAngelo is a Berks County native who has professional theater and dance experience. At a young age, Angela toured the country with the national tours of Annie and The Music Man. She later then attended muhlenberg college where she obtained her degree in theater and dance. Angela has studied many forms of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, modern and hip hop. She has also had twelve years of choreographic experience and is so very excited to work with Tulpy students!

Email: Angelamariedeangelo@gmail.com

Melanie Long is returning for an 8th year as the costume director; she began at Tulpy with the musical Shrek and is excited to be working with the students again. In addition to her work at Tulpehocken she has spent several years assisting with costuming at Born to be Different Productions. Professionally,  Melanie has been a sewist for over 20 years; creating custom clothes in her studio Coup de Foudre Design in Bernville. In her free time, Melanie enjoys traveling and spending time with her seven children. 

Email: coupdefoudredesign9@gmail.com

Joshua S. Underwood is a conductor, music educator, and performer who has spent over a decade collaborating with Berks County schools, performing ensembles, and theater groups. He is excited to be in his first year as the director of the Tulpehocken MS/HS Marching Band and pit orchestra conductor for the Tulpehocken Theater Company. He also serves as the drama club pit orchestra conductor and marching band percussion instructor at Wyomissing Area Jr.-Sr. High School. He is a frequent performer at Reading’s Genesius Theater, where he has performed in nearly twenty productions as a conductor, trumpeter, and horn player. He has also performed with the Reading Pops Orchestra, the Reading Ringgold Band, Opus One Chamber Choir, 1st Street Theater, and numerous local churches and school theater deparments. 

Mr. Underwood holds a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of North Texas. He is currently a student at Shenandoah Conservatory, where he is earning a Master of Arts in Performing Arts Leadership and Management. 

Email: jUnderwood@tulpehocken.org

Matthew Shirk  has been doing musicals and fall plays at Tulpehocken since 2003. He started on stage in 8th grade as Randolph in Bye Bye Birdie. While doing the show he learned quickly that he enjoyed the technical side of shows and started learning Sound and Lighting and has been doing that ever since. When not doing shows Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, baby girls, and 2 dogs. He also enjoys playing Fast Pitch Softball and Soccer. 

Email: mshirk@tulpehocken.org

Clara Hardwick returned to support the Tulpehocken stage crew after graduating in 2021. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science while working at Hershey Gardens.

During her time at Tulpehocken, Clara contributed to productions such as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Newsies as a costume assistant. After graduation, she continued her involvement behind the scenes, helping with Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, and Tinker Bell assiting in costumes. Most recently, she took on the role of crew director for both Freaky Friday and The Outsiders.

Outside of theater, Clara enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and many pets, and also shares her passion for athletics by coaching track.

Email: clarahardick@gmail.com

Wayne Becker is thrilled to join the musical team as Assistant Director after supporting the play, The Outsiders this past spring. While this is his first time assisting with musical direction, Wayne is no stranger to the Tulpy musical community—he’s been photographing cast headshots for the past seven years! Outside of Tulpy, Wayne runs his own photography studio in West Reading and enjoys spending quality time with his two boys. He’s especially excited to be working alongside his wife and contributing to the magic of this year’s production in a new and meaningful way!

Email: wayne@zerbephotography.com 

Sami Livingston is a proud graduate of Albright College, where she earned her degree in art and psychology in May 2021. Since graduating, she has continued to develop her artistic skills and has been actively involved in set painting for Tulpehocken's musicals over the past few years. With a passion for creativity and a long-term goal of becoming an art therapist, she’s excited to once again bring the stage to life as the set painter for this year’s production.

Email: samilivs4@gmail.com  

Alan Bashore has been building sets at Tulpehocken for ages! When he is not building sets you can see him with his grandchildren, wife or volunteering at the local fire company. 

Email: deputy2711@gmail.com