Ms. Rachel L. Coosaia

Rachel Coosaia is a professional cellist and string instructor in Los Angeles, California. Rachel has more than 30 years of professional and teaching experience. She is currently a member of the Riverside County Philharmonic, Long Beach Ballet and the St. Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra. In addition to solo recitals, classical ensembles, musicals and international tours, Rachel has performed with a variety of notable artists. Highlights include John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Alf Clausen, Mark O’Connor, James Galway, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Julie Andrews, Matteo Boccelli, Earth Wind and Fire, Amy Grant, Chance the Rapper, Sir Elton John, Quincy Jones, Josh Groban, Mos Def, Common and Terence Blanchard. Rachel regularly works as a studio musician, recording and appearing in films, movies and television shows for Netflix, HBO, Fox, Warner Brothers and Paramount. Solo performances and appearances include Glee, New Girl, Fresh Off the Boat, The Final Purge and Homecoming. She has also served as technical advisor for Fox Studios, preparing actors to play instruments for their roles in television and film.  ​Throughout her career Rachel has been a dedicated music instructor. She began her Suzuki training at Ithaca College under the tutelage of Pam Devenport. Rachel continued her Suzuki enrichment at the Music Institute of Chicago with Jean Dexter and The Suzuki Music Association of California with Rick Mooney.  Rachel is currently working on Suzuki books 4-8 with Dr. Tanya Carey. For 12 years, she worked alongside Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter, music department chair, at Viewpoint School, where she helped develop group classes, private lessons, chamber music and orchestra classes. In 2011, Rachel began a Suzuki Program at the school, introducing string instruments to students in first through fifth grades. Rachel has spent much of her time teaching for non-profit organizations, including Harmony Project and Young Musicians Foundation, offering free music education to children in underserved communities.