About
Rachel Stegeman is an international violinist and educator whose career spans more than four decades and three continents. She has performed with major symphony orchestras in leading concert halls around the world and maintains an active presence in the orchestral, recording, and chamber music communities. Her broad professional experience informs her teaching, providing students with both practical and artistic guidance grounded in real-world performance.
A native of Washington, D.C., Stegeman began violin studies at age eight and later studied with National Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster William Steck. At seventeen, she made her solo debut with the National Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Early in her career, she performed regularly with the National Symphony and the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra, with highlights including appearances at the White House and the Vatican..
In 1989, Stegeman relocated to Southern California, where she held leadership positions with the Pacific Symphony (Acting Associate Concertmaster), the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (Associate Concertmaster), and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra (Associate Concertmaster). She also performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for both concerts and tours. As one of Los Angeles’s most sought-after studio violinists, she recorded more than 600 film scores, 80 television productions, over 300 albums, and numerous commercials, performing across genres from classical to pop. Her work includes appearances on live broadcasts such as the Academy Awards, The Tonight Show, and the VH-1 Awards.
Since 2002, Stegeman has made her home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She currently serves as Concertmaster of both the Youngstown Symphony and the Wheeling Symphony, Associate Concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra, and has performed extensively with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Her festival appearances include the Sunflower Music Festival, Buzzards Bay Musicfest, and the St. Barts Music Festival in the French West Indies. She remains active as a chamber musician, collaborating with artists across the United States and abroad.
At Youngstown State University, Stegeman is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of violinists. In addition to her YSU appointment, she has served as Adjunct Professor of Violin at Duquesne University since 2002. Her students have gone on to perform with major orchestras including the San Antonio Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Victoria Symphony, and the Chicago Civic Orchestra, as well as with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Opera, and Ballet. Many of her music education students are currently teaching in school districts throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and beyond.
Stegeman is the founder of Violin and Viola Boot Camp, Pump Up Your Practice Summer Strings Institute, and Audition Boot Camp—programs designed to build strong technique, audition skills, and performance confidence. She also maintains a private studio devoted to advanced violin and viola training.
Stegeman holds degrees in Violin Performance from Catholic University and Duquesne University. Her principal teachers include Robert Lipsett, William Steck, Sidney Harth, Luis Haza, Ramona Coppage, and Leslye Gartrell. She performs on a 1923 H. Fagnola violin.
