Educator, Violinist, Arts Administrator
Student Testimonials
Melia has been playing violin for ten years. Melia met Rachel in 2019, and has been taking lessons with Rachel for five years. She is currently taking lessons with her at The Musical Offering. Melia is part of her middle school's orchestra, and is part of their big jazz band and jazz ensemble as the bass player, both upright and electric. In 2023 and 2024, she was part of her district's ILMEA festival. ILMEA District Orchestra was a fun experience for her. When not taking part in musical practices, Melia enjoys playing card games with her family and ice skating.
Taking lessons with Rachel has been rewarding, and a real game changer. With her positivity and encouragement, Melia has stayed motivated and passionate. Rachel has taught Melia exercises (like singing and playing at the same time, which is harder than it sounds) and skills that have been very useful to her. Melia's style and technique has greatly improved because of Rachel's guidance.
Melia
Lucie
Lucie Ruckdaeschel is a junior in highschool who has been playing the violin for twelve years and has taken lessons at the Musical Offering with Rachel for seven years! Lucie enjoys playing in the M’Orchestra and serving as a “Practice Buddy” to one of Rachel’s younger students. When she’s not playing the violin, Lucie enjoys reading and cheering for the White Sox.
Lucie loves how Rachel gives her tools to practice on her own and helps her learn duets with her friends. She always has new fun exercises to teach. Lucie also appreciates the supportive environment and community Rachel creates for all her students.
Empower
Growth
My name is Ella Herman and I am currently an undergraduate student studying violin performance at the University of Wisconsin Madison. I have played violin for 11 years, 4 of which I studied with Rachel Brown at The Chicago Academy for the Arts. During my highschool years I was selected to perform in multiple all school showcases, and the music networking conference, won a spot in the all state ILMEA orchestra, and performed countless off campus venus and master classes. Those experiences crafted my learning experience and enabled me to get a glimpse into the life of a professional musician at a young age and to now enjoy playing in the UW Madison Symphony and chamber ensembles.
Throughout my years taking violin lessons something that always stuck with me was Rachel’s encouragement to be yourself. This helped me learn that violin playing is more than just technique built on an instrument, and gave me confidence not only in my learning but in my performing as well. I loved studying with Rachel because she is an advocate for hard work, but always makes sure to give you space and support to grow in lessons.
Ella
