Rachel BEll

Accordion

Rachel Bell is a full-time accordion performer and teacher, as well as an internationally-known tunesmith. She draws her inspiration from Celtic, French, English, and Quebecois traditions, cranking out new material while deeply respecting the melodies that have been around for hundreds of years.

Based in Brattleboro, VT, Rachel keeps up a busy touring schedule playing contra dances, bal folk events, concerts, English country dances, and festivals all over the US and beyond. She enjoys teaching group workshops on various topics such as bal folk tunes, composition, piano accordion techniques, ensemble skills, and more. She maintains a busy studio of private accordion students of all ages, both online and in person. Often together with singer/clarinetist Susan Kevra or fiddler Becky Tracy, she loves teaching bal folk (French/European) traditional dances and tunes, especially when workshops culminate in a big joyous party of dancing, singing, tunes, and cheese! Pianist bandmate Karen Axelrod is a frequently collaborator in ensemble and English country dance musicians' workshops.

In addition to her accordion-focused projects, Rachel is sought after for her depth of experience in teaching children's music classes--everything from baby/early childhood music and movement experiences to family dances to multi-generational lap dulcimer workshops. She is well-equipped for this work, with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Music performance degree as well as over two decades of experience in public schools, Montessori schools, community music programs, and family camps.

She thrives on collaborative musical work, especially with her bands Eloise & Co., Peregrine Road, Alchemy, and Constellation. Her playing spans an enormous range of emotion—from nuanced and sensitive to exhilarating and powerful—pushing the boundaries of what is expected from an accordion.