Rachel Panitch is a Boston-based violinist, improviser, composer, and teaching artist. She has been an artist-in-residence in neighborhoods, in schools, and in Zion and Acadia National Parks. You can see her performing with Phil & the Flying Leap, playing the magical songs of Phil Berman’s vaudeville-folk-inspired imagination.

With Thread Ensemble, Rachel has created participatory works for audience, vibraphone and violins. The group’s work was awarded a Live Arts Boston grant from The Boston Foundation, and was brought to Cyprus’ Faneromeni Festival by the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. Rachel has performed new Classical music with Cardamom Quartet, is a dance fiddler with raucous French Roast and loves playing with singer-songwriter-storyteller Bill Harley.  Rachel’s original music was featured on a PBS Utah Bucket List episode, and the National Park Service’s “100 Years of Arts in the Parks” video series. She is a member of the Landscape Music Composers Network.

Rachel specializes in teaching improvisation and creative music-making, and was a Resident Musician with musiConnects from 2014-2024. She has also served on Faculty at New England Conservatory Prep and Continuing Education Schools. In 2009, Rachel founded Rhode Island Fiddle Project, a free music program teaching traditional fiddle and dance music to students ages 7-17. Rachel worked for many years with nationally-recognized Community MusicWorks in Providence, RI, where she completed a Fellowship that inspired and incubated RI Fiddle Project. She was chosen as a Jubilation Fellow, a national award recognizing “individuals with an exceptional talent for helping young people feel fully alive through rhythm."

Rachel received her Masters of Music in Contemporary Improvisation from New England Conservatory, and holds a BA in Anthropology from Vassar College.

Residencies/Fellowships

2019 WK Rose Fellowship in the Creative Arts

2018-2020 META Fellow through Massachusetts Cultural Council

2018 Acadia Nation Park Artist-in-Residence

2015-2017 Jubilation Foundation Fellowship

2014 Zion National Park Artist-in-Residence 

2012-2013 NEC Community Performances & Partnerships Fellow

2007-2009 Community MusicWorks Fellowship

Recordings/Appearances

Perfect Maze, Shannon Heaton (2025)

Walking Each Other Home, Bill Harley (2022)

Play the Part, Phil Berman (2021)

Kilimanjaro, Benvindo Cruz, (2019)

Far from Here, Chris Capaldi (2018)

My Greatest Hits, Kenny Raskin (2018)

Artist-in-Residence: Music inspired by Zion National Park (2016)

Fiddler’s Christmas: Acoustic Carols and Melodies (2016)

The Artist’s Experience, Art in the Parks, National Park Service, Centennial Video Series (2016)

The Battle of Bunker Hill, Phil Berman (2015)

this is not a love song, Goli (2015)

Utah Bucket List, PBS/KUED, interviews and performance in Zion National Park (2014)

Amor Transatlántico, Benvindo Cruz, (2014)

The Dreamer, Neha Jiwrajka, Jazz vocalist/Songwriter (2014)

Shiny Eyed Babies, Bent Knee (2014)

The Mosque in Morgantown, PBS Emmy-nominated documentary soundtrack, Kareem Roustoum (2009)

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

"I had the pleasure of attending one of Rachel's performances.  In addition to her music being beautiful to listen to, the program was varied, interesting, and entertaining.  She...tailor[ed] her program to her audience, and she was delightful, warm, and inviting….anyone who has the privilege of hearing her is in for a big treat!" -Carol Ehrlich, audience member

"I am excited for the lesson time we spend together and I see improvements every week… Rachel’s patience and attention to detail brings fiddle music to life for me." - John DeBaie, student