Rachel Grimes

Rachel Grimes, originally from Co. Down was raised in a musical family, her grandfather being world-renowned uilleann piper, Leo Rowsome. After taking initial lessons at the City of Belfast School of Music, Rachel studied at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music of Music & Drama, obtaining her BMus with Honours and Masters degree under the tutelage of the renowned teacher, Simon Fischer.

Rachel's career was kick-started in 2005 when she won the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's Milton Violin Award, which enabled her to play on a priceless Gagliano violin for three years. Rachel has since played with many professional ensembles across Ireland and the UK including the RTE Concert & Symphony Orchestras, Wexford Festival Opera, the Ulster Orchestra and Northern Ballet.

Rachel is also a founding member of the Leinster String Quartet and has played/recorded with artists such as Michael Bublé, Kygo, Westlife, Andrea Bocelli and for the Pope's visit to Ireland in 2018. She has been a teacher at Leeson Park School of Music for three years and remains dedicated to passing on a passion for music and technical excellence to every one of her students.

Rachel studied with Irish Chamber Orchestra leader Katherine Hunka and in 2022 graduated from MTU Cork School of Music with First Class Honours.