About

Rachel’s musical journey began in childhood when she started playing the flute, achieving Grade 8 with Distinction and completing her A-level music. She pursued a BA in Music at SOAS, University of London, where she was introduced to world music traditions such as Javanese gamelan, Chinese dizi flute, and Thai classical music. During her studies, Rachel earned the Trinity Performers Certificate on flute and began playing saxophone to complement her skills.

For several years Rachel taught flute, saxophone, clarinet and recorder, and led whole-class music lessons, for Enfield Arts Support Service. Additionally, she provided private lessons to children and adults in North London and taught at the Royal School Hampstead.

In 2008, Rachel moved to Indonesia under a scholarship from the Indonesian government to study Javanese gamelan music. She continued to perform on flute during this time, both classical music and Javanese kroncong music. In 2012, Rachel embarked on her PhD studies at the National University of Singapore, focusing on learning methods and knowledge transmission in Javanese gamelan, wayang shadow puppetry, and traditional dance. She completed her doctoral thesis, “Knowledge Transmission and the Family in Traditional Javanese Performing Arts,” in 2016, and published articles in several academic journals.

Rachel moved back to the UK and has worked as a freelance translator and copywriter and as a community manager, while continuing to play her instruments. Having now settled in Hove, with a wealth of experience, she is returning to her passion for teaching music.

Rachel has an enhanced DBS, is fully insured and is trained in child safeguarding.