As a member of the Roanoke Symphony's Harp Ensemble for seven years, Rachel has had opportunities to participate in many harp concerts. She studies under the direction of Anastasia Jellison, harpist for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra.
Rachel became a student of violin at the age of six. She has studied with Jane Wang and Akemi Takayama. She currently plays violin in the First Violin section of the Roanoke Symphony's Youth Orchestra and is the Symphony's only harpist. She has attended their Music Institute at Ferrum College for the past seven summers.
Rachel was the first place winner at the Roanoke Youth Symphony’s Young Artist Competition in 2009. As a result, she was the solo harpist at the Youth Symphony’s Winter Concert in November, 2009. She played Handel’s Harp Concerto in B-flat Major. In March 2008, Rachel tied for Second in the Roanoke Symphony's Young Artists Awards. She played Maleguena by Ernesto Lecuona.
In April 2008, Rachel and her brother placed 1st in AWANA's National Fine Arts Awards, both receiving scholarships. In October, 2008, Rachel played with Zuill Bailey (cellist) at the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s concert. They played Massenet’s Meditation from Thais as an encore. Rachel was the harpist with the Roanoke Symphony in the spring of 2007, at a concert featuring Aaron Neville. The Symphony played the Carmen Suite by Bizet, which featured a prominent harp part in the Prelude to Act III. She also played the harp part of a piece that was written by Aaron Neville.
Rachel provides music for her local church and local non-profit organizations and nursing homes. Rachel plans a career as a professional harpist. She is available for harp and violin lessons to beginner and intermediate student. For more information concerning lessons, visit our Information page.
