Volunteer State Community College continues to highlight alumni who return as educators, and Rachael Hall exemplifies that full-circle impact. A Vol State graduate and current adjunct voice instructor, Hall recently presented a powerful vocal recital designed not only as a performance, but as an investment in her students’ belief in what they can achieve.
Hall began her Vol State journey in 2015 as one of the first Tennessee Promise scholarship recipients. Her love for music developed early through the Nashville Opera Children’s Choir and Hendersonville High School’s band program. By the time she entered college, music was both her passion and her path forward.
At Vol State, Hall found mentors who helped shape her future. Professors such as Nancy Slaughter recognized her vocal talent and encouraged her to pursue her goals with confidence. This support left a lasting impression.
After earning her Associate of Fine Arts degree, Hall transferred to Austin Peay State University, where she completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music. Teaching was always part of her vision, inspired by her mother and the educators who supported her own journey.
In 2020, Hall returned to Vol State as an adjunct voice instructor. “Vol State has always called to me,” she said. “I met some of my lifelong friends here, so it was always a goal to come back eventually.”
That connection to students was at the heart of her recent recital. Hall performed ten pieces in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish, alongside collaborative pianist Dr. Linda Shipley. The program showcased vocal range, stage presence, and professional artistry and ended with a beautiful rendition of the popular children’s book, “Goodnight Moon.”
For Hall, the recital carried deeper meaning. As a mother of nearly two-year-old twin boys, she designed the experience as a personal milestone and a message to her students about perseverance.
“This was the craziest experience I’ve had putting together a recital, but also the most rewarding,” Hall said. “I wanted my students to see what was possible.”
By stepping onto the stage herself, Hall gave her students a clear vision of what pursuing a higher degree and preparing for future recitals and auditions can look like. She modeled the dedication and resilience she hopes to instill in her students, proving that their goals are achievable and that their work can lead them further than they may imagine.
