Rachel Wolz

Rachel Wolz is a saxophonist from Channahon, Illinois. She is a recipient of the Eugene V. Cota-Robles Fellowship and an active participant in the Gluck Fellow Program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Saxophone Performance and Music Composition from Illinois State University and Master’s degrees in Saxophone Performance and Music Theory from the University of Oklahoma. As a performer, Rachel has toured Illinois as a member of the Funk Sauce Brass Band, based in Peoria, Illinois. She received Honorable Mention in UCLA’s Atwater Kent Concerto Competition in 2023. She received Honorable Mention in the 2021 Elise Hall Competition for Emerging Saxophonists, a competition that encourages artistic growth and development for female-identifying, trans, and non-binary musicians. Outside of music, Rachel coordinated a summer day camp for kids at Mulberry School in Normal, Illinois for three summers, where she also taught general music for the 2019-2019 school year. She is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance at UCLA. Her principal instructors include Paul Nolen, Jonathan Nichol, and Jan Berry Baker.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Private Saxophone Instructor                                                                                                                                                    Los Angeles, California -Self-Employed                                                                                                                                                                             August 2018 – Present

• Maintain private studio of students from junior high through high school

• Work with students on individual short-term and long-term goals

Music Teacher                                                                                                                                                                                  Gardena, California - Maurock Music Academy                                                                                                                                                              March 2022– Present

• Teach a variety of students at different levels from preschool through adults

• Provide individual and group lessons on piano, saxophone, and clarinet

Recording Technician and Stage Manager                                                                                                                                     Norman, Oklahoma- University of Oklahoma School of Music                                                                                                                              August 2018 – May 2021                                                                                                                                                                                      

• Operated audio, video, and lighting equipment for all School of Music events

• Recorded and archived live performances

• Set up and cleared the stage before and after performances

Music Theory Coordinator, Music Theory Teacher, Sectional Leader, Camp Counselor                                                                      Normal, Illinois- Illinois State University Junior High Band Camp                                                                                                                                  July 2016, 2017                                                                                                                                                                                                               

• Coordinated and distributed daily curriculum to the theory teachers; organized class rosters for all teachers; managed classrooms

• Developed and taught daily lesson plans for music theory class for junior high students

• Directed daily sectionals for the woodwind section; volunteered as a camp counselor for eight junior high girls

Summer Camp Director                                                                                                                                                                          Normal, Illinois- Mulberry School                                                                                                                                                          June – August 2019, 2020, 2021              

• Developed and coordinated camp programs and activities for a safe, engaging, and high-quality summer program 

• Recruited and trained staff members for a summer program for preschool children

• Addressed crisis management, discipline, and troubleshooting issues related to campers and/or staff

• Interacted with parents, children, staff, and administration

General Music Teacher                                                                                                                                                                          Normal, Illinois- Mulberry School                                                                                                                                                                     August 2017 – May 2018 

• Introduced children to the world of music using songs, simple instruments, and a variety of instructional materials, resources, and games 

• Worked independently to create a fun and engaging learning environment for children ages 3-7

• Promoted self-expression and social growth as well as nurture a love for music

ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE

Pictures at an Exhibition Modest Mussorgsky arr. Maurice Ravel- The Colburn Orchestra (2023) 

Bolero Maurice Ravel- UCLA Philharmonia (2022)

Danzon No. 4 Arturo Marquez- UCLA Philharmonia (2022) 

Illinois State University- BM Saxophone Performance BM Music Composition 

The University of Oklahoma- MM Saxophone Performance MM Music Theory