Rachel Panitch is a Boston-based violinist, improviser, composer, and teacher. She has been an artist-in-residence in neighborhoods, in schools, and in Zion National Park. She was chosen as a 2015-16 Jubilation Fellow, a national award recognizing “individuals with an exceptional talent for helping young people feel fully alive through rhythm."

In 2009, Rachel founded Rhode Island Fiddle Project, a free music program teaching traditional fiddle and dance music to students ages 7-17.  Rachel continues to work with Community MusicWorks in Providence, RI, where she completed a Fellowship which inspired and incubated RI Fiddle Project.

Rachel performs Classical music with the Cardamom Quartet, is a contra dance fiddler with bands French Roast and Pizzazz, and tells stories with Bill Harley, and with Thread Ensemble: an improvisatory trio of violins, voices and vibraphone. Rachel received her Masters of Music in Contemporary Improvisation from New England Conservatory in 2013.  A graduate of Vassar College, Rachel completed work in Anthropology focusing on aural learning in folk music communities. She has studied with Carla Kihlstedt, Hankus Netsky, Nicholas Kitchen and Tanya Kalmanovitch. 

I think of myself as a musical translator. As an improviser with a background in Anthropology and a commitment to social justice, my work is….Finding connections and ways to demystify …Introduce North Indian music or Free improvisation or Classical music to audiences, students

“Rachel is a beast.” - Tony Woodcock, past President of New England Conservatory

“Rachel has that ‘thing' -- spirit, energy, love. She has great talent but combined with heart and enthusiasm.” - Ned Boyer, musician

3rd person - a student? 

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