Rachel Baljeu

Rachel Baljeu is a sought-after collaborative pianist and piano teacher, residing in Calgary since 2014. She maintains a busy schedule as collaborative artist with the Amici String Program, the One Accord and Western Canada High School choirs, the Firebird Symphony and Chorus, and the University of Calgary, as well as with other students for local festivals, recitals and exams. She also maintains a private piano studio, teaching 15-20 students. Her students have won awards and scholarships for their excellence in piano performance.

Rachel previously worked as a software engineer for GE Aerospace (formerly Smiths Aerospace) for nearly ten years. After returning from a 3-year assignment in France, she left her job to thru-hike the 4300-km long Pacific Crest Trail. Upon completion of the trail, she decided to switch careers and return to school for music. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University, where she had the invaluable opportunity to study piano pedagogy with Helen Marlais, and piano with Mark Markham, known in particular for his collaboration in recitals with Jessye Norman.

Rachel graduated from Michigan State University with Master of Music degrees in both Piano Pedagogy and Collaborative Piano. Her teachers included opera conductor and pianist Alan Nathan for collaborative piano, and Deborah Moriarty and Derek Polischuk for solo piano.