Rachel joined the Charleston Symphony as Music Librarian in the spring of 2013 and continues to frequently perform throughout the Charleston community and can also be seen joining the viola section of the Charleston Symphony. She has performed in the viola sections of the Savannah Philharmonic, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, and South Carolina Philharmonic. In addition to her responsibilities as Principal Librarian for the Charleston Symphony and a busy performance schedule, she is also trained in the Suzuki Method and maintains a private studio out of her home in West Ashley for beginner through intermediate violin and viola students. During the summers Rachel enjoys joining her husband, CSO Assistant Concertmaster Micah Gangwer, traveling to Brunswick, Maine, for the Bowdoin International Music Festival.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin Rachel began her music education in the public schools and participated in multiple performance and ensemble opportunities from the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra during her middle and high school years. She received her Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from Bowling Green State University, and both her Master of Music and Performance Certificate degrees in Viola Performance from the University of South Carolina. While earning her degrees at USC Rachel was the Graduate Administrative Assistant for the Community Music Program and was a founding member of the USC Suzuki Strings program.