Julia Rebeil

Julia Marie Rebeil was born in Tucson, Arizona[1] in 1891, the daughter of Andrés Rebeil and Concepcion (Chonita) Redondo Rebeil. Her father, who was born in France, was a merchant and bank president in Tucson.[2] Her maternal grandparents were born in Mexico.[3] She was part of the musical community of early Tucson residents, including the Ronstadts.[4]

Rebeil graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Tucson, and earned a bachelor's degree (1918) and a master's degree at the Chicago Musical College, and pursued further musical studies at the Fontainbleau Conservatory in Paris.[3]

Rebeil performed internationally as a concert pianist.[5] She also played and taught violin.[6] In 1917, she won a national contest for young artists trained in the United States, sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs.[7] She went to France in 1919 with the War Recreation Board, to entertain American troops.[8]

Rebeil joined the music department at the University of Arizona in 1920,[9] and was head of the piano program from 1926 to 1953.[3][10] She became a full professor in 1930.[11] Among her students were pianist and composer Ulysses Kay,[12][13] music professor Walton Smith Cole,[14] and pianist Constance Knox Carroll.[15]

Rebeil retired from university teaching in 1969.[11] She served on the boards of the Arizona State Music Teachers Association[16] and Tucson's Saturday Morning Musical Club.[6][17]

Rebeil died from a heart attack in 1973, aged 82, at her home in Tucson.[11] The Julia Rebeil Memorial Scholarship was established at the University of Arizona soon after her death.[18]

• Julia Rebeil at Find a Grave