Rachel Blumenthal

Rachel Blumenthal was appointed Acting Flute/Piccolo of the Lyric Opera Orchestra in 2022. She joins the Lyric Opera from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, where she served as Acting Utility Flute during the 2021-2022 season. Rachel spends her summers performing with the Santa Fe Opera, where she was appointed Second Flute/Piccolo in 2019. She has also performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Grant Park Orchestra, among many other ensembles. Rachel was previously a member of the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to performing, Rachel served on the chamber music faculty at the University of Chicago from 2018-2020 and has taught students of all ages across the United States. She has been a fellow at numerous summer music festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Center, the National Repertory Orchestra, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Brevard Music Center.

Born and raised in Chicago, Rachel began her musical studies when her grandmother surprised her with a flute for her ninth birthday. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University. She is immensely grateful for the support and guidance of all of her teachers, most especially Jeanne Baxtresser and Amy Porter.