Excellence, Creativity, Collaboration

Rachel is an engaging pianist, composer, speaker and ensemble musician, with perceptive interests ranging from Baroque and early British Folk influences to Contemporary-Classical music, Impressionism and Jazz.

This has led her to perform extensively, deliver inspirational masterclasses, curate workshops and direct ensembles, with a view to inspire appreciation of instrumental music through new perspectives, through the modern lens. She has been described as ‘a warm and engaging personality… playing confidently but with no hint of self-importance, having considerable technical accomplishment and an innate sensitivity… discovering an extra dimension in her playing’, (John Forster, Conductor, RCM Fellow) and ‘an outstanding musician with some exceptional qualities… an innately natural and thoughtful musician’ (Margaret Fingerhut, Concert Pianist, RBC Fellow). Winning the West Sussex Young Musician of the Year award at 17, she went on to perform in venues including Champs Hill, the Regis Recital Hall, The Ministry of Gozo Recital Hall Malta, Goodwood House for the Earl and Countess of March, Chichester Music Festival (-Shoreham Herald), The Connaught Theatre (-Evening Argus), ‘The Spice of Life’ West End, and Worthing Assembly Hall. Ensemble work spans across piano, string, woodwind and vocal ensembles, such as with the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister, with original arrangements featured at times. She has been fortunate to perform orchestrally at the Royal Albert Hall and Birmingham Symphony Hall as a member of the WSCYO and SAMC orchestras, and has performed as leader and concerto soloist with the WYSE in Sussex. Recent ventures include a performance of Moeran’s Concerto ‘Rhapsody in F#’ in Kent, Finzi’s Concerto ‘Eclogue’ for Piano and Orchestra in Sussex, a chamber recital in Malta, and delivering motivational masterclasses and performances in Hertfordshire; with an engaging style described as both ‘creative’ and ‘excellent’.

 

Beyond lesser-known British composers, Rachel is a proponent of the music of living composers including Rzewski, Liebermann and Rorem. A composer herself, her catalogue involves works for solo piano and varying instrumental ensembles. She recently formed, led and organized a chamber orchestra concert in support of Young Minds and Macmillan charities in Sussex, participated in a jazz commission at Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall by Chris Sharkey (Serious Productions co.), was invited to compose for a Royal Northern woodwind quintet, and attended a BBC Proms press conference writing an article for The London Mother regarding the BBC’s ‘Ten Pieces’ initiative. She encourages others to enrich their musicality and motivation, aiming to cultivate talent and a culture of kindness and collaboration. Awarded a scholarship at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, she studied piano performance under Chandos artist Margaret Fingerhut, composition with Proms artist Errollyn Wallen MBE, and harpsichord with Resonus artist Steven Devine; graduating with Class I Honours and the highest performance in the department, including a self-composed ‘Chernobyl’ Piano Suite incorporating interactive technology.

 

She further undertook an advanced teaching course, with a Licentiate distinction of 94, accredited ‘rare and exceptional’. Teaching is integral to her output, with 10 years of teaching experience; having extensively researched the latest strategies, with a philosophy centred upon developing intrinsic motivation, specialising in metacognitive awareness and proximal development. She has tailored lessons, arrangements, compositions and studies for her students, believing in pupil-centred learning and inspiring the next generation of musicians- strengthening them to develop their own artistic voice. In the words of Boston Philharmonic Conductor Benjamin Zander- ‘The conductor makes no sound. His power depends on his ability to awaken possibility in others… [the] success is how many shining eyes are around you’. Rachel’s zeal for music is palpable, as is her passion for introducing people to repertoire from ‘the path less trodden’ to the iconic.