Hailing from Flint, Michigan, cellist Rachel Hsieh received her bachelor’s degree in cello performance from the University of Michigan where she studied with Erling Blöndal Bengtsson. A recipient of the Gregor Piatigorsky Scholarship, Rachel earned a master’s degree and graduate performance diploma from the Peabody Conservatory under the tutelage of Alan Stepansky. 

In 2012, Rachel was personally selected by Maestro Lorin Maazel to join the Castleton Festival Orchestra in Castleton, Virginia where she has spent the past three summers.  Rachel has also played under the baton of Ricardo Muti, Marin Alsop, Michael Tilson Thomas, Jaap van Zweden, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Donald Runnicles, Leon Fleisher, and Leonard Slatkin. 

Rachel joined the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in 2013, previously holding positions in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Since moving to New Orleans, she has become a frequent performer with the band Sweet Jones and recently appeared with them on CBS's NCIS: New Orleans.

Rachel plays on a cello from Istanbul, Turkey that was made by Vahakn Nigogosian in 1956.