by Clarke Schwabe

The UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music has added a new faculty member to its music education program, Dr. Rebecca Atkins. Atkins will also be teaching in the online Master of Music Education program.

Atkins comes from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, where she served as assistant professor of music education since fall 2013.

She recently completed her Ph.D. in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin. She earned her M.M. in Choral Conducting at Missouri State University, and a B.M. in Music Studies at The University of Texas at Austin.

Atkins served as an assistant instructor for the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music at The University of Texas during her Doctoral program, and as the Teaching Assistant of Theory and Ear-training at Missouri State during her Master’s program.

Previously, Atkins successfully directed middle school and high school choir programs in Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, earning superior and excellent ratings consistently at competitions.

Atkins’ current research focuses on the effects of attention on vocal tone quality. She is also drawn to research questions that pertain to the development of performance skills and the refinement of pedagogy.

Rebecca Atkins performs with Conspirare Symphonic Choir and serves as clinician and adjudicator for area choirs and competitions. She received the Texas Exes Teaching Award for the College of Fine Arts in 2012 and received the McNairy County Board of Education Teacher of the Year award in 2007.