Rachel Hertz (they/them) is a freelance clarinetist, private instructor, and arts administrator based in western Massachusetts. They are currently pursuing a degree in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from UMass Amherst. They have been awarded the Theodore Presser Award and Susan Campbell Scholarship. Rachel has been a participant at the ARIA Academy, Minnesota Clarinet Festival, and was an inaugural member of the Akropolis Chamber Music Institute. Their work as a freelance musician has landed them gigs in the orchestral world, currently acting as the principal clarinetist of the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra. Rachel values collaboration and has premiered a number of works by Felipe Salles, Salvatore Macchia, Helkin Sosa, Ryan Lindveit, and Brittney Benton. As a member of the queer community, Rachel provides a safe space for K-12 LGBTQ+ students to seriously study the clarinet. Rachel has studied with Laura Grant, Brian McCurdy, Bixby Kennedy, and Romie de Guise Langlois.