Originally from Orange in rural NSW, Rachel is a freelance cellist, string specialist and conductor with a special interest in ensemble pedagogy. She studied cello with Susan Blake at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Anthea Scott-Mitchell at Newcastle Conservatorium.

During her time in Newcastle, Rachel was Director of Strings (Secondary) at the Hunter School of Performing Arts. In 2013, as Artistic Director of NIMA (Newcastle Improvised Music Association) Rachel founded the Newcastle Youth Orchestra. 

Since relocating to Sydney in 2015, she became Head of Strings at Burwood Girls High School, conducted orchestras at Fort St High School, Sydney Girls High School, Annandale North Public School, Leichhardt Public School and Sydney Youth Orchestras Strings program.

In 2019 Rachel was the recipient of the Louise Crossley Scholarship through the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra which enabled her to work with Elana Schwarz in their Australian Conducting Academy.

In 2026 Rachel will conduct the Festival of Instrumental Music massed strings for the NSW Arts Unit.

Rachel currently teaches chamber music and cello at the Sydney Conservatorium High School, runs workshops for primary and secondary string and symphony orchestras throughout greater Sydney and conducts for Sydney Youth Orchestras.