Education
Rachel received her BM in Piano Performance and MM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Michigan, and a DM in Piano Performance with minors in Music Education and a Certificate in Preparing Educators of students with Autism from Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music.
Rachel is also an alumna of The Colburn School, Pre-College (Los Angeles, CA), and our very own Levine Music (Washington, DC).
Teaching Experience
Rachel has taught as an associate instructor and a piano faculty group class instructor at Indiana University, a graduate student instructor, master class teacher, adjudicator, and private instructor at the University of Michigan, a private instructor at Stafford Music Academy, and a private instructor for the P.A.L.S. Program with the Aspen Music Festival and School. Rachel has also been a private studio instructor since 2012, teaching weekly private lessons to beginners, elementary, intermediate, and advanced students in person and online.
Other Notable Experience
Rachel was the Vice President/Co-Founder and President of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) at Indiana University from 2019 to 2020 and from 2020 to 2021, respectively. She was the Co-Founder of two community-focused performance series: Keys to the Future (2020) and Musical Time (2022). Rachel also hosted and coordinated professional development workshops and Lunch Break Series at IU throughout 2019-2021, and helped to organize the university’s Founder Peer Partnership Program and a six-week lesson initiative titled Music for All.
Teaching Philosophy
As a teacher, I create an understanding, trusting and inclusive environment with the student. I am interested in a students’ interests outside of piano class or piano lesson because I find it extremely helpful knowing what excites them. Orderly, clear and simple is my approach to teaching. When teaching my students, I find ways to break down hard concepts into simpler forms and develop activities that will challenge them. I attempt to inspire growth in my students by giving them tools: curiosity, open-mindedness, and a thirst for knowledge.”