Rachel qualified as a teacher, having specialized in music, in 1978 and since then has always worked in Steiner Schools (a world-wide independent school movement). She has worked as a class teacher for 14 years and also as a subject teacher of music, art, French and handwork. For 9 years, she lived in Hungary and worked as an advisor to the Hungarian Steiner School movement and as a teacher of English and Music in a Hungarian Steiner School. Most recently she was the music teacher at the Bristol Steiner School. She retired from this post in July 2016.
Music has always been her great interest. As a child she studied piano and at college she took up the cello. She is an experienced recorder player and has always particularly enjoyed singing and making music with children. Her time in Hungary also gave her the opportunity to explore some of the rich tradition of educational music as developed by Kodaly.
Since retiring from school teaching she has been following up her deep interest in singing and has recently completed a part time course on voice technique and vocal freedom with the “Tonalis” music foundation. Rachel has been with the New Harmony Ladies Choir since September 2016.
Music has always been her great interest. As a child she studied piano and at college she took up the cello. She is an experienced recorder player and has always particularly enjoyed singing and making music with children. Her time in Hungary also gave her the opportunity to explore some of the rich tradition of educational music as developed by Kodaly.
Since retiring from school teaching she has been following up her deep interest in singing and has recently completed a part time course on voice technique and vocal freedom with the “Tonalis” music foundation. Rachel has been with the New Harmony Ladies Choir since September 2016.
Rupert Hutchings began his musical career as a chorister at St. Pauls Cathedral; this was followed by music and choral scholarships at Uppingham School and Tewkesbury Abbey respectively. He went on to study piano and piano accompaniment at the Royal Northern and then the Royal College of Music, graduating with a Bachelor of Music with Honour's degree, along with the RCM's Diploma in Piano Teaching, in 1999. For a number of years he worked with musically-gifted children at the Purcell School in Hertfordshire as a residential tutor, houseparent, and accompanist. Experienced as a teacher of piano, singing, and music theory, he has also been a deputy Alexander Technique teacher at the Junior Royal College of Music for over ten years.
Rupert has a wide background in performing, both as a soloist and accompanist. His past prizes include the Sheila Mossman Award from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the Douglas Fox Memorial Prize from the Music Masters' and Mistresses' Association, 2 nd prize in the Royal Northern College of Music's & 'Prix Scarbo' competition, and the Rotary Club of Banbury & 'Young Musician of the Year' title.
Between 2008 and 2012 he set up and directed a choir in Hainault, Essex, for adults living with particular neurological/sensory needs; they gave several well-received concerts. He moved to Bristol in 2012 to study Music Therapy at UWE, and most recently has joined the
staff at King Edward’s School, Bath, as Senior School Accompanist and Performance Coach.
Rupert has a wide background in performing, both as a soloist and accompanist. His past prizes include the Sheila Mossman Award from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the Douglas Fox Memorial Prize from the Music Masters' and Mistresses' Association, 2 nd prize in the Royal Northern College of Music's & 'Prix Scarbo' competition, and the Rotary Club of Banbury & 'Young Musician of the Year' title.
Between 2008 and 2012 he set up and directed a choir in Hainault, Essex, for adults living with particular neurological/sensory needs; they gave several well-received concerts. He moved to Bristol in 2012 to study Music Therapy at UWE, and most recently has joined the
staff at King Edward’s School, Bath, as Senior School Accompanist and Performance Coach.
President - Dr. Alwyn Humphreys MBE