Rachel Ellins, harp

Rachel Starr Ellins is a professional harpist, teacher and arranger. She is the first call substitute/second harpist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and principal harpist with the Longmont Symphony Orchestra. Rachel was the instructor of harp at Colorado State University from 1996 until 2016. Ms. Ellins received her bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Colorado where she studied with Kathy Bundock Moore and her Masters degree from the University of North Texas where she studied with Ellen Ritcher. Rachel also studied for two summers at the Tanglewood Music Festival with harpist Lucile Lawrence.

She has appeared as a concerto soloist with the Timberline Symphony, Greeley Chamber Orchestra, Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra, and the Longmont Symphony. She has been a guest artist with the Front Range Chamber Players and the Loveland Friends of Chamber Music. She has given numerous solo and chamber music recitals throughout Northern Colorado.

Ms. Ellins teaches harp lessons from her home in Longmont and has been on the faculty of the Harp Oklahoma/ Colorado/Nebraska Workshops for the past four summers. She has published several harp ensemble arrangements and loves to conduct harp ensemble. Ms. Ellins resides in Longmont with her husband Joe and daughter Amanda.