Dr. Rachael Keplin is a violist and string pedagogue in Greensboro, North Carolina. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Viola Performance from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, a Master of Arts in string pedagogy from The Ohio State University, a Bachelor of Music in viola performance from Kennesaw State University, and is a registered Suzuki teacher. Rachael is the viola artist and assistant director for Chamber Brews. She regularly performs with the Greensboro Symphony, North Charleston Pops, and North Carolina Opera. She is passionate about youth outreach and has served as an orchestral coach for the Greensboro and Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra. Rachael recently published her dissertation "Mindfulness and Free Improvisation: A Holistic Approach to Cultivating Creativity and Awareness" in May 2024. She is currently continuing research in free improvisation through and is set to present her research at national conferences in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Education
Aug 2021 - May 2024
Aug 2013 - May 2015
Aug 2009 - May 2013
Continuing
University of North Carolina at Greensboro: D.M.A in Viola Performance
Cognate: Improvisation
Dissertation: Contemporary String Techniques Pedagogy
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Minerva Scholar
Moore Fellow
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The Ohio State University: M.A in String Pedagogy
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Kennesaw State University: B.M in Viola Performance
HOPE Scholar
Suzuki Association of the Americas
Book 3 Certification, Violin & Viola (2019)
Book 2 Certification, Violin & Viola (2019)
Book 1 Certification, Violin & Viola (2018)
Every Child Can Philosophy Course Certification (2018)
Teaching Experience
University & College
2021 - 2024
2013 - 2015
2018 - 2021
2016 - 2021
2016
2011 - 2013
Aug 2023 - Present
July 2022, 2023, 2024
2013 - 2021
2013 - 2015
2012
2011 - 2013
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Studio
Viola Studio Lessons, Instructor
Violin Studio Lessons, Instructor
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University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Studio
Viola Studio Lessons, Instructor
Viola Technique Class, Instructor
Viola Studio & Repertoire Class, Assistant Instructor
Classroom
Free Improvisation, Assistant
American Music, Assistant
Music Cultures of the World, Assistant
University Symphony Orchestra, Assistant
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The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Studio
Viola Studio, Assistant
Classroom
Beginning Pedagogy: Upper Strings, Assistant
Beginning Pedagogy: Lower Strings, Assistant
Studio & Institute
Music Academy of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC
Viola and Violin Studio Lessons, Instructor
Pre-Twinkle Group Class, Instructor
Moore Music, Greensboro, NC
Viola and Violin Studio Lessons, Instructor
Suzuki Music Institute, Columbus, OH
Viola and Violin Instructor
Co-Director, Vivaldi Ensemble
Instructor, Group Class Mixed Book Level, Viola
Instructor, Musicianship 4, Violin
Instructor, Group Class Book 2, Violin & Viola
Instructor, Group Class Book 1, Violin & Viola
Instructor, Musicianship 3, Violin
Assistant Instructor, Group Class Pre-Twinkle, Violin & Viola
Hilliard Community Music School, Columbus, OH
Viola and Violin Instructor
Encore Music, Columbus, OH
Viola and Violin Instructor
The Harmony House, Kennesaw, GA
Viola and Violin Instructor
Youth Organizations & Camps
Peer Artists Leadership Program, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Program Coordinator
University of North Carolina Greensboro Summer Music Camp, Greensboro, NC
Viola Lessons Instructor
Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestras, Columbus, OH
Violin Coach, All-City Orchestra
Violin Coach, Chamber Strings
Violin Adjudicator, Chamber Strings
Viola Coach, Youth Symphony
Viola Coach, Chamber Strings
Viola Adjudicator, Chamber Strings
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Viola Coach, Morning Strings Summer Camp
Violin Coach, Morning Strings Summer Camp
Intermediate Strings Director, Morning Strings Summer String Camp
Atlanta Music Project [El Sistema Modeled Program], Atlanta, GA
Teaching Artist, Beginner Group Violin
Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, Kennesaw, GA
Viola Section Coach
Chamber Music Coach