Rebecca Mergen Pennington has been a member of the faculty of the New School for Music Study since 2007. She currently serves as Administrative Director, overseeing the NSMS administrative team and all school operations.
Dr. Pennington has been a frequent performer in faculty recitals, and is often seen performing duets and trios with other faculty members. She teaches the popular Piano Detectives Club, a group class for kindergarten students. She also runs beginner piano programs during the summer for young children, aiming to foster a love for music through these students' natural curiosity and enthusiasm.
Dr. Pennington represents the NSMS teaching philosophy by saying: “At the New School for Music Study, we believe in the importance of music education for all students and the power of music to transform lives. One of my best days as a teacher is when a student comes into their piano lesson feeling unhappy. We spend the lesson making music and they leave with a smile on their face. That is the testament to the power of music.”
She holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Concordia College. Previous teachers include Jack Winerock and Jay Hershberger.
Dr. Pennington is a frequent presenter at local and national conferences. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her three children.