biography

Hailing from Fairfax, Virginia, Rachel grew up inspired by the instrumental excellence of Washington DC military bands. They became fascinated with all that the clarinet can do and be, which has grown into a love for performing and recording new music, as well as learning the klezmer style. The two most precious gems of Rachel’s performance life include chamber music and contemporary solo works. However, their work as a freelance musician has landed them gigs in the orchestral world, with the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra and Firebird Pops Orchestra. Rachel values collaboration and has premiered a number of works by Felipe Salles, Salvatore Macchia, Helkin Sosa, Ryan Lindveit, and Brittney Benton.

 

Currently a senior studying Music Education and Clarinet Performance at UMass Amherst, Rachel is active both in the UMass and western Massachusetts community. At UMass, Rachel plays in the Wind Ensemble (Bass Clarinet), Orchestra (Bb/A, Bass, Eb), Wind Chamber Ensembles, and String Chamber Ensembles. They were the President of UMass Amherst's NAFME Collegiate Chapter and a founding member of the Music Department Equity Group. Because of Rachel's leadership, UMass NAFME Collegiate held activities through the COVID pandemic, and continues to offer support and development for UMass' Music Education majors now. Outside of UMass, Rachel can be found freelancing with musical theatre pits and volunteer orchestras. Rachel has worked as a woodwind doubler across Massachusetts secondary schools and Boston area theatre companies such as Vokes Players and Speakeasy Stage. 

 

Massachusetts-based clarinetist, woodwind doubler, and music educator, Rachel Hertz is building community through moving performances and nurturing education. Rachel’s passion for education and chamber music has led them to serve on the faculty of Northampton Community Music Center, teach private lessons to students in Belchertown Public Schools, play with the Valley Winds, and regularly gig throughout New England. Rachel studied Music Education and Clarinet Performance at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where they were a student of Romie de Guise-Langlois (BM, BME ‘24). While at UMass, Rachel was awarded the Theodore Presser and Susan Campell Scholarships. Rachel maintains an active career as a freelancer, doubler, and educator, and hopes to take on projects in chamber music and new music that focuses on the programming of underrepresented composers.

 

Their work as a freelance clarinetist has led them to gigs with the Lowell Philharmonic, Firebird Pops Orchestra, Five College Orchestras, and New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra. Rachel has attended Domaine Forget, ARIA Academy, Minnesota Clarinet Festival, and the inaugural Akropolis Chamber Music Institute as a clarinetist and chamber musician. They have worked as a woodwind doubler for Speakeasy Stage Company, Un-Common Theatre Company, Calliope Theatre, and many middle and high schools across MA and CT.  Rachel has studied with Laura Grant, Brian McCurdy, Bixby Kennedy, Todd Cope, Afendi Yusuf, Nicholas Balderou, and Romie de Guise Langlois.

 

At Northampton Community Music Center, Rachel teaches private lessons, group classes, and coaches chamber music to 5th graders through octogenarians. Their playing can be heard with the UMass Wind Ensemble on the CD “Synchronous - New Works for Trombone for Wind Ensemble” and with the Valley Winds on soon-to-be-published reference recordings for Cumbia Moderna (R. Torres) and Kauyumari (G. Ortiz arr. M. Brignolo). More playing samples can be viewed at their website. 

 

In their free time, Rachel enjoys practicing clarinet, talking walks around Puffers Pond, and checking out books at their local library. Rachel also loves to spend time with their cat, Miso.