Rachel Cornacchio, Ph.D.

Dr. Rachel Cornacchio is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Music Education. As a public school educator, she has taught in New York, New Jersey, and Florida in grades K-12. Dr. Cornacchio served as an elementary general music specialist in Peekskill, NY and Director of Choral Activities at Newburgh Free Academy in Newburgh, NY. While in Newburgh, choirs and soloists under Dr. Cornacchio's direction received top honors at solo and ensemble festivals. Community organizations with which she has worked include the Newburgh Symphonic Chorale and the Oregon Young Women's Choir. Before coming to Messiah University, Dr. Cornacchio acted as Visiting Instructor at the University of Oregon where she directed the University Concert Choir and taught courses in Choral Music Education.

Dr. Cornacchio has presented papers at the regional, national, and international levels. Research interests include Conductor Expressivity, Adolescent Voices, and Making Music with Children ages 0-5.

Her professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda. She currently serves as Repertoire & Standards Chair for Women’s Choirs for the American Choral Directors Association – PA. Dr. Cornacchio is active as a certified Music Together instructor, an early childhood music program.

Dr. Cornacchio is active as a guest conductor and clinician.