Chapel Hill Music Studio Owner

Meet Rachel Narula

Rachel has been teaching piano and accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists in Chapel Hill for over 30 years.

She was the rehearsal accompanist for the world premiere of the opera The Inca’s Chosen Bride performed at Chapel Hill High School. She was a rehearsal accompanist for the Durham Savoyards Ltd., who produce Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and also for The Long Leaf Opera Company which was formed in 1999 for the production of American opera.

Rachel was favorably reviewed in both the News & Observer and Durham Herald-Sun for her performance at the LLO production of Alec Wilder’s “Sunday Excursion” in January, 2000. Ms. Narula was accompanist for the Community Youth Theatre which produced The Dancing Princesses of Dominica, composed by Chapel Hill’s Ben Keaton. She was also selected to accompany and perform in the June 2007 debut of Nora the Nonapus, an original children’s opera composed by Caroline Mallonee for the children at Estes Hills Elementary School, Chapel Hill, NC.

Rachel has participated in the week-long Chapel Hill Chamber Music Workshop sponsored by the UNC Dept. of Music, and has also played the organ and accompanied several local church choirs. She has attended workshops and masterclasses given by pianists Nelita True, Marvin Blickenstaff, Suzanne Guy, and by William Yanuzzi from the Baltimore Opera. She also accompanied an all-Spanish voice recital for the studio of Eusebio Gonzalez, which featured zarzuela – a type of Spanish opera.

Rachel is a certified member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, the National Music Teacher’s Association, the North Carolina Music Teacher’s Association, and the Chapel Hill Music Teacher’s Association.

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Come Study with Rachel

One of Rachel's philosophies at Chapel Hill Music Studio with regard to teaching children is that “it takes a village.” She sees her role as a partner with parents so that everyone can work together to help children learn to love music.

Training and Education

Rachel's Musical Training

Rachel has studied classical repertoire with Jean Barr (Prof. of Accompanying, Eastman School of Music, retired), Charles Heffernan (Univ. MA-Amherst, retired), and with concert pianist Gregory McCallum (deceased) from Carrboro, NC.  She has also studied jazz with Ed Paolantonio (Durham, NC).

Jean Barr

Classical Repertoire

Charles Heffernan

Classical Repertoire

Gregory McCallum

Concert Pianist

Ed Paolantonio

Jazz

Special training that benefits your learning!

Rachel has been trained in performing with relaxation and injury-avoidance techniques.