Meet Our Director

Rachel RichardsRachel Richards joined the New Horizons Orchestra in 2005 as an instrumental coach for both the adult band and orchestra. In 2006, she became the orchestra’s conductor. Rachel is an elementary and middle school strings teacher for the Appleton Area School District and conductor of the Oshkosh Youth Symphony, Inc.’s Philharmonia orchestra.  Rachel is passionate about teaching and promoting music to musicians of all ages.

In 2004 Rachel earned her B. A. in music education from St. Norbert College and received the Tony Winters Instrumental Music Award from St. Norbert College.  This award recognizes community outreach through instrumental music performance for the purpose of expanding the appreciation of music to diversified community audiences.

Rachel is an active musician in the Fox Valley and plays double bass and bassoon with various ensembles; from swing music to symphonies and everything in between.  You may have heard her playing with the Civic Symphony of Green Bay (principal bassoon), Wisconsin Symphonic Winds (bass and bassoon),  Appleton City Band (bassoon), Forte and the Pianissimos (bass), and several other local ensembles.

Always seeking opportunities learn and share, Rachel earned her M.A. in Education from Marion University in 2009 and is a member of the Wisconsin Music Education Association, National Association for Music Education, and the American String teachers Association.

“One of the greatest things about music is that it is always there for us.”   –Rachel Richards