Rachel became a student of violin at the age of six. She studed with Jane Wang for four years, and now is a student of 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 six summers.

Rachel studies harp under the direction of Anastasia Jellison. She has had opportunities to participate in many harp concerts through the Roanoke Symphony Harp Ensemble. In 2008, the RSO could no longer continue the Harp Ensemble, but Rachel and her friends didn't want to quit. They founded the Star City Harp Ensemble, which is a self directed ensemble that receives coaching from a professional harpist.

Rachel was honored when she was asked to be the substitute 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.

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 First in AWANA's National Fine Arts Awards, both recieving scholarships.

In July 2008, Rachel was in the Young American Harp Seminar Competition, and placed Sixth.

In October 2008, Rachel performed in the RSO's opening concert featuring Zuill Bailey, in their encore piece, Meditation from Thais by Massenet.

Rachel has been providing music lessons to beginner and intermediate students since Fall 2007. For more information visit the lessons page.