By the time she arrived at Harley in Grade 11, Rachel already knew music was central to who she was. At Harley, that passion found both structure and encouragement. Working closely with orchestra teacher Alexander Goettel (Music, 2017-19), she immersed herself in performance and pushed herself technically and artistically. Her Saturdays were often spent at Eastman School of Music, deepening her training and expanding her musical world beyond the classroom.

Upon her arrival at Harley, she was already thinking about college. With the guidance of her counselor, Kim McDowell (English, History,College Counseling, Head of Upper School, 2000-2022), she began to seriously consider her future and what it might look like to pursue music as a career. Together, they navigated the college process, ultimately leading Rachel to apply to Oberlin and its prestigious Conservatory. Along the way, she found unexpected strength in her writing—thanks in large part to the English department, and especially Pat Malone P ’20 (English, 2009-2023, 2024-25), who helped her discover her voice on the page. By the time she graduated, Rachel felt not only musically prepared, but academically confident for the schooling ahead.

At Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Rachel earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance in 2024, with a concentration in pedagogy, advocacy, and community engagement. She performed extensively, serving as Assistant Concertmaster of the Oberlin Orchestra and Concertmaster of the Contemporary Music Ensemble, while also appearing at Carnegie Hall and participating in major summer festivals like Aspen and Round Top.

From there, Rachel went straight into graduate school at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Violin Performance (expected May 2026). The transition brought new challenges. Unlike Oberlin’s undergraduate-focused environment, San Francisco offered a more specialized, professional atmosphere. In her second year, Rachel made the difficult decision to switch violin teachers. This move will push back her timeline for things like preparing for and taking professional auditions, but that’s ok because the new teacher is tremendous. She’s already thinking ahead to continuing her studies elsewhere after San Francisco, with hopes of eventually returning to the East Coast.

In the meantime, her career is already in motion. Rachel performs frequently, balancing concerts with a deep commitment to teaching. She works with students of all ages, from young beginners to college-level musicians, sharing the same discipline and love for music that has guided her own journey. Her performance résumé continues to grow rapidly—she has played with the San Francisco Symphony, collaborated with renowned artists, and will soon take the stage in a special concert featuring Stuart Copeland from The Police. Each opportunity adds another layer to her experience, reinforcing both her versatility and her professionalism.

Despite the distance, Rachel has remained closely connected to her Harley classmates. Their group chat is still active, a constant thread of friendship and support that has carried through the years.

Looking back, Rachel sees Harley as a place that allowed her to take risks in a supportive environment. Her advice to current students reflects that experience: try everything. Take chances. It’s a place where exploration is safe, and where those explorations can quietly shape your future in profound ways.