photo credit Dario Acosta
Rachelle Puccini is an experienced string educator and clinician, specializing in practical pedagogy for string players of all levels. With a focus on technique and musicality, Ms. Puccini has had the privilege of presenting at major conferences, including The Midwest Clinic, Texas Music Educators Association, and Ohio Music Educators Association. She offers expert sessions on topics such as violin/viola set up, bow holds, shifting, the left hand and vibrato.
Having worked with schools and educators across the U.S. and internationally, Ms. Puccini provides hands-on clinics, masterclasses, and professional development. She has taught a wide range of audiences, from middle and high school orchestras in North Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, and Ohio, to international events in the Dominican Republic and Canada. In addition, Ms. Puccini has led private training sessions for music educators through ASTA and local MEA’s. She also has lead training sessions for music retailers, as well as offering guidance on instrument sales and customer engagement to string players.
Ms. Puccini offers a variety of educational opportunities, including residencies, school clinics, masterclasses, and solo collaborations tailored to meet the specific needs of your students and educators. She provides professional development workshops for teachers and has experience collaborating with community and school orchestras, bringing expert guidance and performance as a soloist to elevate ensemble programs. Her versatility and hands-on approach ensure that each engagement is impactful and enriching for both students and educators alike.
Known for her approachable and adaptable teaching style, Ms. Puccini is committed to helping students and educators build strong technical foundations while fostering musical expression. Whether working with schools to elevate their string programs or engaging with conferences as a clinician, she brings a wealth of experience and passion to every session.
Discover different methods for optimal violin and viola set up, and how to identify what works best for each individual student. We will be focusing on the physics of great tone while making sure the body is properly aligned and relaxed to avoid tension. Feel free to bring your violin or viola for a “hands on” approach. Appropriate for teaching all grade levels beginning through high school.
A guided tour of advanced bow strokes and how to introduce and develop each one to your upper string sections. Strong emphasis on creating a relaxed and functioning spiccato. Increase the repertoire range for your orchestra.
A step by step guide to building a students bow hold from the ground up. Great for the setting up the beginning stages of upper string playing or refreshing a more experienced group to ensure their bow holds are ready for advanced bow techniques.
A comprehensive analysis of what goes in to creating and maintaining a well functioning left hand on the violin or viola.
A tactile approach to finding key areas on the violin and viola. This clinic will focus on how to teach shifting so the student is able to reliably find their way into higher positions and therefore be more in tune in upper positions.
In this clinic we address how to assess the personal needs of your student or customer, how to adeptly evaluate the qualities of the instruments being presented and how to get the right instrument in the hand of the player in any price range. An excellent clinic for shops looking to help their customers further or just need a brush up on string players’ needs.
In this clinic we will go over methods for teaching vibrato on the violin and viola. We will explore the three types of vibrato and exercises for improving each one. This clinic is perfect for teaching beginning vibrato, but also for developing and refining existing vibrato.
One on one, professional development or a tailor made clinic for your specific pedagogical needs are all possible. Click the link below to start the conversation!
