Rita Gentile M.Ed. ?17, M.M. ?20

Rita Gentile

Class Year

M.Ed. ’17, M.M. ’20

Current home

Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Major(s)

M.M. in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy/Master of Education in Teacher Leadership

Current Position

Choir Director at Kenosha Unified School District/Lance Middle Schoo, Music Director at Kenosha Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Owner/Voice Instructor at Kenosha RG Performing Arts Studio

Rita Gentile M.Ed. ’17, M.M. ’20, a recipient of a Carthage Alumni Scholarship and a graduate assistantship, directs the choirs at Lance Middle School. She’s served as the music director at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish for the last 15 years and recently opened the RG Performing Arts Studio in Kenosha.

Ms. Gentile believes her Carthage education readied her to obtain a doctoral degree.

“Professor Corinne Ness also played a vital part in my time at Carthage. She is a constant mentor, supportive problem-solver, and expert colleague who I often turn to for both musical and career advice.”

Rita Gentile, M.Ed. ’17, M.M. ’20

What have you enjoyed most about your career?

“I most enjoy the creative aspect of my career in music. I am able to explore music with my students that is old, new, from different cultures, and in foreign languages and then bring them to audiences who otherwise would not have experienced them.”

What opportunities were made possible because of your Carthage experience?

“My experience at Carthage over the course of two master’s programs ultimately prepared me for pursuing the next level of my education. In 2019, shortly after being accepted to the one-year Master of Music program at Carthage, I was also accepted into the Doctor of Musical Arts program at Boston University. I look forward to completing my doctoral program at Boston while still keeping close ties to Carthage.”

What Carthage professors played a part in your success and how?

Elena Batman, adjunct faculty of music, played a pivotal role in renewing my love for singing. She restored my confidence and rehabilitated my vocal technique after I experienced voice problems during a pregnancy. I credit her as my ‘game-changer’ when it came to pursuing my master’s degree in music at Carthage. I continue to study with her even after graduating.

“Professor Corinne Ness also played a vital part in my time at Carthage. She is a constant mentor, supportive problem-solver, and expert colleague who I often turn to for both musical and career advice.”

Were you an award recipient? If so, tell us about the awards you received and what they meant to you.

“I was the recipient of an Alumni Scholarship and graduate assistantship as a music student. During my Master of Education program, I was recognized by the Wisconsin Choral Director’s Association as the Outstanding Young Choral Director award recipient in 2013.”

What role have the values in Carthage's mission, "Seeking Truth, Building Strength, Inspiring Service — Together" played in your life?

“I try to specifically reflect on the ‘inspiring service’ portion of the Carthage mission statement. As my teaching career gets busier and busier, I try to remain an active member of the community by serving as the president of the Contemporary Italian American Organization (CIAO), which supports the advancement of the Italian heritage in Kenosha. I was recently appointed to the Kenosha Commission on the Arts. I look forward to serving our community in as many diverse facets as possible in the future.”


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