Raised in rural Pennsylvania, Rachel began studying ‘cello, voice and choral singing at a young age. Upon graduating from high school, she continued her education in ‘cello and music history, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Pennsylvania State University.  She also studied studio art, writing and Italian language.

Currently, Rachel performs on viola da gamba, vielle and Baroque ‘cello throughout the country and abroad. She can also be heard as a professional choral singer in liturgical settings. Active on viola da gamba and Baroque ‘cello as a soloist and continuo player, she collaborates with a variety of chamber ensembles including Philadelphia ensembles The Buxtehude Consort and The Divine Hand Ensemble. Increasingly in demand as a teacher, Rachel has instructed viola da gamba at workshops in New England, Toronto, at the Amherst Early Music Festival, at Brandeis University and at Case Western Reserve University. She is active in promoting the viola da gamba through outreach programs that have been presented to young children, public high school string students and college students.

Rachel was the winner of a Young Artist Grant-in-Aid from the Viola da Gamba Society of America and has been awarded several scholarships for both her performing talents and academic writing in the field of early music.  She completed both a Masters degree in Musicology at Brandeis University and a Graduate Performance Diploma in Early Music at the Longy School of Music. Rachel is indebted to her current teacher and mentor, viola da gambist Sarah Cunningham.