Rachel played many instruments as a child (piano, violin, flute, oboe and percussion) but she knew the cello was the instrument for her! She first started lessons in America with Christine Livingstone before returning to England. She was a student at the Royal College of Music Junior Department before going on to study BA honours degree in Music at Leeds University. Here she studied with Anna Shuttleworth. One of her highlights whilst at Leeds was being asked to perform the Lutoslawski Cello Concerto for the re-opening of the renovated Great Hall.
Rachel then went on to do a Post Graduate degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. It was at the RNCM that she developed her love for teaching and working with young children on the Junior Strings Project under Penny Stirling. Alongside her cello lessons, with Margaret Moncrieff, Rachel also studied Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Kodaly and double bass. Her bass teacher was Rodney Slatford. Once Rachel finished the course, she was asked to stay on and teach on the project. She still teaches on the project today.
Rachel now lives in the Lake District and teaches cello, double bass and chamber music in schools and privately in the Northwest. She teaches chamber music at the RNCM Junior School, is the Director of the Westmorland Youth Orchestra Training Strings and is the cello tutor for the Westmorland Youth Orchestra.
Rachel has been coming to Bryanston (and its predecessor course at Dartington) since she was a child……over 30 years!