Rebecca Elliston, who grew up in Sag Harbor, has been named as this season’s Student Cantor at Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor. She is currently a student at Hebrew Union College’s School of Sacred Music in New York and will be graduated and invested as a Cantor in 2008. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from Crane School of Music in upstate New York. Prior to taking the position at TAI Rebecca was student Cantor at Temple Beth Miriam in Elberon, New Jersey where she gained experience officiating at services and she created and taught the music program in the religious school. She also studied in France prior to attending cantorial school.

Ms. Elliston has been mentored by Cantor Debra Stein of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons where she participated as a cantorial soloist at both regular and High Holiday services since 1999. Among her other accomplishments, last season she sang along with Cantors Debra Stein and Daniel Singer (formerly of TAI) at a very well attended Cantorial Concert. She has served as a Hebrew teacher and tutor and has led services both at TAI and Congregation Beth El in Potsdam, NY She was graduated from the Maycroft School in North Haven and Easthampton High School.

Ms. Elliston has also led Shabbat services at Temple Beth El in Potsdam, NY and participated in many choir events in Jerusalem while a first year student at HUC. While student cantor at Temple Beth Miriam in Elberon, NJ she created and taught the religious school music program, conducted and rehearsed both adult and children’s choirs and created B’nei Mitzvah tapes/CDs the tutors at the Temple to use. She also served as a student music teacher in Valatie, NY before embarking on her cantorial career.

She is the granddaughter of David Lee (and his wife, Joanna) who has been a leading figure in keeping Temple Adas Israel alive since he arrived in Sag Harbor from the UK in 1948. Her parents are Michele Connar of Shirley, NY and Lester Elliston of Bridgehampton, NY.