MEET THE ORCHESTRA

Rachel Koeth is the principal bassoonist of Symphoria and a native of Portland, Oregon. Spending childhood summer evenings at city park symphony concerts nurtured her love for music and the bassoon. That love led to her completion of a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Iowa, as a student of Benjamin Coelho, and performances with regional orchestras such as the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, the Iowa City Chamber Orchestra and the Ottumwa Symphony.

Moving further eastward to attend Stony Brook University in New York, Rachel continued her studies with master’s and doctoral degrees under the guidance of Frank Morelli. She enjoyed performing with the Three Villages Chamber Players and the Stony Brook University Baroque Ensemble in Long Island and in New York City.

In 2012 Rachel was a finalist for the Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition, and received the Lauren V. Ackerman Memorial Chamber Music Prize with her Stony Brook University woodwind quintet. She has performed at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival and the National Orchestral Institute and Festival.

Rachel enjoys teaching, coaching Symphoria youth orchestra sectionals, reed making, Brahms, baking, bunnies, and orchestral music. She is excited to make music with her colleagues at Symphoria and to explore Central New York.