Rita Gentile

Rita Gentile joined the Carthage College music faculty as an Adjunct Professor in 2022 where she currently teaches Applied Voice, Advanced Applied Voice, Music Theater History, Popular Music in America and graduate courses in music education. She also serves as a student teaching supervisor for choral and general music teacher candidates. As a performer, she has appeared as a soloist with the Kenosha Symphony, Racine Symphony, Fine Arts at First (Messiah), UW-Parkside Noon Concert Series, as well as productions of “My Way,” and “Side By Side by Sondheim” at the Racine Theatre Guild. In addition, you can see her frequently providing music for the internationally televised Heart of the Nation Catholic mass. Rita has had the pleasure of performing with choruses all over the country, including in concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2003, she was the winner of the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) freshman women’s category.

As a voice specialist, Rita enjoys teaching both classical and contemporary vocal styles. She is a firm believer in training the whole voice to serve as a versatile instrument that is ready to take on a variety of singing styles. You will find Ms. Gentile’s students performing in diverse settings, from stage productions to solo recitals and formal competitions.

Rita has dedicated many years to choral music education. She taught as a choral and performing arts teacher in Kenosha Unified for 14 years, where she regularly trained and mentored choral student teachers. She also served as co-director of both the KUSD Madrigal Singers and Middle School Theatre program. Her middle school choirs have performed at high levels, consistently receiving awards and superior ratings. In 2013, her women’s choir was chosen by blind audition to perform at the state convention, where she was awarded Young Choral Director of the Year by the Wisconsin Choral Director’s Association.

Also an accomplished pianist, Rita serves as the Music Director at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, where she provides music liturgy planning, vocals, organ accompaniment, and directs the adult choir, a position she has enjoyed for over 17 years. She also frequently accompanies for local choirs and festivals. In addition, Rita owns RG Performing Arts Studio in Kenosha, where she leads a staff of ten private lesson instructors teaching voice, piano, and dance. Rita holds professional memberships with NATS, PAVA, WCDA, Music Theatre Educator’s Alliance, and NAfME, while also serving as a Level 2 Adjudicator for the Wisconsin School Music Association.

Rita holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Master of Education in Music Ed Leadership (’17), and Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy (’20) from Carthage College. Currently a doctoral candidate, Ms. Gentile is working on her dissertation at Boston University where she will complete her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education. She resides in Kenosha with her husband, Ben, and their three children; Vinny (13), Dominic (11), and Gioia (7).