Personnel
Rebecca Rockhill, Conductor
Rebecca Rockhill assumed the post of Director of the UNA Collegiate Singers this spring. Her choirs have performed for state and regional conferences for the Alabama Music Educators Association and for American Choral Directors Association. Her choral department boasted more students selected to the Alabama All-State Choir and the All-State Show Choir than any other school in the state. Rockhill has been the recipient of “Teacher of the Year” in Florence City Schools three times. She has received the Frances P. Moss Award for Alabama Choral Director of the Year, and was selected Educator of the Year by the University of North Alabama Alumni Association. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Alabama, Master of Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University, and Education Specialist from the University of North Alabama. She has served as Repertoire and Standards Chair for ACDA and District Chair for the Alabama Vocal Association. She has also served as President of Alabama Vocal Association. She is choir director and organist at First Presbyterian Church in Florence.
Karen Whitehead Cantrell, Collaborative Pianist
Karen Whitehead Cantrell is a native of Anderson, Alabama. She has a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from University of North Alabama and a Masters of Music Education from Florida State University. She also received counseling certification from University of North Alabama. She has served as choral director at Deshler High School, Tuscumbia and as Alabama Vocal Association District chairman, treasurer and president. She was guidance counselor at Anderson Elementary School until her retirement.
Karen is currently the staff collaborative pianist for the Department of Music at UNA, where she plays student/faculty recitals, ensemble concerts, and Collegiate Singers and Opera/Musical Theatre performances. She coordinates pianists schedules for students’ private lessons. She also is pianist at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Rogersville. Karen is a board member of Walk With Me Foundation, serving as pianist for SOLAS, the Foundation’s performing ensemble, as well as for all Foundation recitals and concerts.
Karen has been pianist for numerous Alabama All-State Choral Festivals, Quad-City Choral Festivals, Alabama Honor Choir, University of North Alabama Honor Choir, Florence Honor Choir, Mississippi State University choral ensembles including performance with Tupelo Symphony, state, regional and national ACDA reading sessions. She has collaborated with students for state, regional and national NATS. She has served as choral adjudicator for district, regional and state assessments.