About
Following this, Rebekah began her studies as a Music student at Queen’s University Belfast. Her degree explored a variety of areas of study ranging through music theory, music history, audio production, composition, music psychology and music education. Rebekah graduated as a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours in the summer of 2021. Additionally, she was awarded the Ashby Prize for Music at the end of her first year as the highest scoring student across all five music degree pathways at QUB.
Outside of her academic studies, Rebekah has been involved in a wide range of musical activities throughout her youth. From her early teens, she was heavily involved in the popular music scene in Northern Ireland as a musician, journalist and promoter. At 15, she became NI Music Editor for local pop culture site PanicDots.com, was a regular contributor to The Thin Air, and presented on local music radio show “Through The Wall” on Blast 106. At 16, Rebekah played her first gig as a solo artist as part of the Volume Control programme based the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Over the course of the next year, she played at numerous events across Belfast including Culture Night, Hidden Machine and Help Musicians NI Takeover. This culminated in the release of her debut Reprieve EP in April 2015 which received critical acclaim across the province and beyond. The following summer saw the release of a double A-side before taking a hiatus from performing self-penned music.
In March 2015, Rebekah signed up as a member of the Volume Control team which saw her plan, promote and execute a year’s worth of live gigs and events, specifically aimed at young people. This year provided experience in roles including event manager, audio/lighting engineer, photographer, runner, artist liaison and front-of-house. During this year, the team of 12 young people successfully executed the inaugural Breaking Into Music industry conference and the launch of the Volume Control Records label and the accompanying release of its first compilation album. The team worked with numerous artists including Kate’s Party, Rainy Boy Sleep, Brand New Friend and The Wood Burning Savages, also teaming up the the Nerve Centre in Derry/Londonderry to run a “gig swap”.
Adding another dimension to her work, Rebekah began worship leading at the age of 11 when she led her first church service from the piano. After several years leading as a pianist, guitarist and vocalist, Rebekah was awarded the Church of Ireland Organ Scholarship in the Dioceses of Down & Dromore and Connor at the age of 19, studying under the instruction of Dr Joe McKee OBE. Following three years of tuition, Rebekah completed her scholarship gaining triple distinctions. In February 2020, Rebekah was employed as Director of Music/Organist at Knockbreda Parish Church, where she co-ordinated the music for regular Sunday services, festival services, children’s ministry, and weddings & funerals. Rebekah spearheaded a worship development plan for the church and wider community, remaining at the musical helm for four years. She is now based at Christian Fellowship Church in South Belfast and leads worship in a freelance capacity for various churches and mission events across the country.
Rebekah is training as an Early Years teacher at Stranmillis University College having completed her Master's degree in Early Years Education at St. Mary's University College. She is passionate about using music to engage children who may struggle with the traditional learning environment. Rebekah completed her undergraduate dissertation on the topic of inclusion in mainstream education through music and her Master's dissertation on music as a regulation tool for children with communication & social interaction difficulties. This is an area she hopes to explore and develop further, with the ultimate goal of improving music provision in primary level education.
