Rachel’s musical career started like most by learning to play the recorder in primary school! She then transitioned to learning the clarinet and saxophone at school in the UK, taking part in every school group on offer and being heavily involved in the county music ensembles. She had the opportunity to play at the Music for Youth National Finals twice, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Rachel studied music at the University of Salford, specialising in conducting and arranging. She studied conducting and arranging with David King, Peter Graham and Roy Newsome. After this, Rachel went to Manchester Metropolitan and studied a PGCE teaching qualification in Secondary Music Education and instrumental music. While studying in Manchester, Rachel played first clarinet for the Manchester Police Band and was regularly booked as a woodwind player in pit bands for musicals.
Rachel taught secondary music and drama in the UK public education system for thirteen years and was quickly promoted to Head of Music and Head of Performing Arts. She has always been passionate about the value of music and drama in schools and has continuously conducted choirs, musicals, concert bands, orchestras and chamber ensembles in all the schools she worked in. Rachel completed her Masters in Education in 2011 through Open University.
Rachel was Head of Music and Head of Performing Arts internationally in Switzerland and Bermuda for 10 years. She was proud to have supported the Bermudian Public School system by writing the Middle School Music Curriculum update for 2020 and delivering island-wide training for all middle school music teachers. Rachel worked for Bermuda School of Music supporting their extensive island-wide programme and was an adjudicator for Bermuda Philharmonic Youth Bursaries.
Even after all this time, Rachel is still as passionate about sharing her love of music with others whether that is in individual lessons, as a conductor, composer or leading teacher workshops. In fact, you could definitely call her a music geek!
It is always exciting to share music with different ages and abilities and is the driving mission of the music studio. Creating community through the love of music!.
Rachel is always happy to help and offer you guidance – so don’t be afraid to ask any questions and sign up for the latest news and blogs!
Passionate About Music Education 