Rachel Schlesinger, oboist

What to expect: Punctuality, preparedness, and a great attitude!

A passionate musician and creative performer, Rachel has been involved in music since she first stayed up past her bedtime to listen to her father's klezmer band. She began her oboe studies at the age of twelve under Adrian Gnam, and much to her parents' chagrin decided to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Oboe Performance at Ithaca College under Paige Morgan and a Master's degree at the USC Thornton School of music under Allan Vogel, David Weiss, and Joel Timm.

Once dubbed "the best multi-tasker I've ever encountered," Rachel thrives in the pit orchestra setting, performing in musicals such as The Wizard of Oz, Baby, Oliver, 1776, and the opera Il Viaggio a Riems, where she honed the skill of switching instruments in less than 6 seconds. She is also an enthusiastic chamber musician, seeking new ways to make make chamber music relatable to her audience.

A devoted educator, Rachel has taught lessons and coachings at CalTech, The Claremont Colleges, and San Juan Hills High School. Her lessons emphasize both the emotion and the technicality of music in equal balance.

Rachel lives in Long Beach, CA with her cat, Gustav (yes, named after Gustav Mahler), and regularly teaches in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.