Rachel Brandwein

Harpist Dr. Rachel Brandwein is the winner of the 2014 Mu Phi Epsilon International Solo Competition. She has toured the United States and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist. Rachel is Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at St. Olaf College, and teaches harp, theory/aural skills, and a First-Year Seminar course she created, called “The Creative Learning Workshop”. Her performance and composition accomplishments include first prizes and grants in numerous regional and national competitions sponsored by the American Harp Society, the American String Teachers Association, and Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity. Among other professional ensembles, Rachel performs frequently with the Minnesota Orchestra and National Lutheran Choir, and has performed with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. She maintains a dynamic performing career, and enjoyed serving on the adjudication panel for the biennial American Harp Society National Competition in 2025. Rachel is an active contributor of feature articles for the International publication, Harp Column. She earned degrees from the University of Michigan (BM), The Juilliard School (MM), and Stony Brook University (DMA), and also studied French and harp in France for one year. Please visit her website for more information: www.rachelbrandwein.com