Following the retirement of Elinor Niemisto, Rachel Brandwein was appointed harp professor at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. “The talent of St. Olaf’s students is well–known locally as well as nationally, and it will be a delight to work with serious students who are dedicated to high personal achievement,” says Brandwein. In addition to her harp classes, she shares that she will also be teaching theory and aural skills. “I have not taught in the classroom since my graduate work, so this will be such a pleasure. Aural skills is my favorite academic subject.”
An experienced harp teacher, Brandwein is also on faculty at Luther College and the College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University. She hopes to support St. Olaf’s harp students in a wide range of abilities, emphasizing orchestral, solo, chamber, and foundational pedagogical skills. Lessons will incorporate musicianship, technique, performance skills, music history, and aural and theory skills. “I also enjoy working with students on original composition assignments while assimilating these components. It’s fun seeing their individual voices shine through their pieces, and I find the process is gratifying for them as well.”
For more information about St. Olaf, visit stolaf.edu. Learn more about Brandwein at rachelbrandwein.com.
