Rachael began piano lessons at the age of three after begging her mother to teach her. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from UMKC. She is a proponent of new music and has premiered several works by living composers. She is a founding member of Nebular Blue, a trio dedicated to performing new music.
Rachael’s teaching philosophy holds that piano lessons teach valuable skills beyond simply music making. She strives to instill determination and creativity into her students while fostering problem-solving, organization, and critical thinking. Teaching students how to practice and approach new challenges gives them tools that can be used anywhere in life. While her expertise lies in classical music, she has taught everything from movie soundtracks to blues to improvisation and has extensive experience in solo and choral accompanying. Students are encouraged to explore their musical interests while building a strong foundational technique.
Rachael’s teaching philosophy holds that piano lessons teach valuable skills beyond simply music making. She strives to instill determination and creativity into her students while fostering problem-solving, organization, and critical thinking. Teaching students how to practice and approach new challenges gives them tools that can be used anywhere in life. While her expertise lies in classical music, she has taught everything from movie soundtracks to blues to improvisation and has extensive experience in solo and choral accompanying. Students are encouraged to explore their musical interests while building a strong foundational technique.