Rachel Graber Instrument:  Violin Rachel was born in 1983 in Casper, Wyoming. Shortly thereafter, her family relocated to upstate New York, and then to Iowa City, Iowa, where Rachel spent what she considers her formative years. Ever since she was very young, Rachel wanted to play violin; but it wasn't until her family moved to Iowa City, when she was in fourth grade, that she was able to find a teacher. Rachel has played in numerous orchestras, quartets, pit orchestras and other ensembles. Her real talent, however, is singing. She is a coloratura soprano and has performed in Britain, Canada, and here in the United States—in Virginia and Iowa. She has been a High Holiday cantorial soloist for many years. She has also performed with the Grinnell Singers in most of the Midwest. Rachel received her BA in religious studies from Grinnell College and her MA in school counseling with an endorsement in gifted education from the University of Iowa. She is the 7-12 guidance counselor at Wapello Jr/Sr High. Rachel lives with her two dogs, Bina and Ori. Bina is a terrier from Israel and only speaks Hebrew. Ori is a rescue, a bichon, with only 2.5 feet. They are her faithful canine companions; and with their assistance, Rachel is embarking on an ambitious project to save the world! Return to Musician Page