Rollin Simmons is a fourth year cantorial student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She spent the last two years as the assistant student cantor at Community Synagogue in Port Washington, NY. This past summer, she was the cantorial intern at Temple Israel in Boston, MA, her home congregation. For the High Holidays last year, she was the student cantor at Congregation Children of Israel in Augusta, GA. In the summer of 2007, Rollin worked as a chaplain intern at a hospital just outside of Seattle, WA, and hopes to continue learning about pastoral care.

Before beginning her cantorial career, Rollin went to Vassar College, where she studied art history and Italian and sang in a co-ed a cappella group. She spent her junior spring studying abroad in Bologna, Italy. After college, Rollin pursued many different careers: architecture, painting, teaching, singing, and even got her Master's degree in Special Education from Lesley University before deciding to pursue the cantorate. She sang with the Boston Zamir Chorale for three years, and also worked as a cantorial soloist for various Boston-area congregations.

While not studying or leading services, Rollin loves to go to her nearby farmers' market and cook up delicious meals. She is also planning her wedding, which is in May 2009.

Contact her via email at: cantorialintern@hebrewtabernacle.org