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A National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) cellist since 1998, Rachel Young brings a diverse musical background to her work, ranging from avid engagement in chamber music to a strong interest in new music. She joins NSO colleagues as a member of the Last Stand Quartet and the 21st Century Consort. Prior to joining the NSO, Young served as principal cello of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. An enthusiastic chamber musician, her collaboraitons include appearances with the Fortas Chamber Music and Mason Bates KC Jukebox series at the John F. Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Chamber Music Society, Jackson Hole Chamber Music, Garth Newel Music Center, the Odeon Chamber Series, the Strathmore Mansion, the White House, and the American Embassy in Madrid, as well as on radio stations WGMS, WETA, and WGBH. Her discography includes performances with the 21st Century Consort and the Smithsonian Chamber Players. Young has also enjoyed occasional forays into new arenas, collaborating with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, movie producer Bill McKenna, songwriter Randy Barrett, and saxophonist Al Regni.

Rachel Young was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She began studying music at the age of four and quickly knew she wanted to become a cellist. In high school, Young trained in the NSO Youth Fellowship Program, studying with Principal Cellist David Hardy. She went on to play with the contemporary Music ensemble at the Peabody Institute and found the challenge and discovery of performing contemporary music incredibly rewarding. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Laurence Lesser, and her master's degree in cello performance with Stephen Kates at the Peabody Conservatory. She was a Fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and attended the Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies in England, where she studied with William Pleeth. Young is a teaching artist with the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship and Summer Music Institute programs as well as a chamber coach for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra. She serves on the boards of the Kindler Cello Society and the 21st Century Consort.