Robert J. Knabel

After completing a successful twenty-seventh season, Artistic Director, Rob Knabel, is back as Suncoast Singers begins its Twenty-eighth Concert Season. 

Rob has the largest Choral Music Program in the Pinellas County School system and was nominated for Outstanding Music Educator 2004.  His school program was the only one in Pinellas County to be selected for mentoring by the Master Chorale of Tampa. 

He earned his undergraduate degree in Music Education and his Masters in Conducting from the University of South Florida.

Rob directs the International Masterworks Chorus of Tampa Bay that has performed in twelve venues abroad and has made numerous trips to venues in this country including Carnegie Hall and the Mormon Tabernacle in Utah.

Mr. Knabel has been the Director of Music at Heritage Methodist Church in Clearwater, Florida for the past five years.

In March 2006, Rob took The Suncoast Singers and his East Lake High School Chorus to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City where they presented Mozart's Requiem.

Our Accompanist, Dede Natale, has a B.A. in Music and an M.A.T. in Music Education from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.  She belongs to the Florida State Music Teachers Association, The Music Teachers National Association and the Upper Pinellas Music Teachers Association. 

Additionally, she is a member of the Suncoast Piano Quartet, has been the Accompanist for the International Masterworks Chorus and was the Pianist at Feather Sound Community Church from 1980 - 2001. 

She began her musical career as Rehearsal Accompanist for the New Jersey School of Ballet.  She has been a Coach/Accompanist for the Asolo Opera Chorus.

We are pleased to have her talented fingers accompanying Suncoast Singers Show Chorus.