Ms. Rachel Samson

Violin, Viola Teacher, Student

Rachel Samson

SAA Member

Contact

Plano, TX

Rachel Samson hails from Central and NE Ohio, where she began her musical journey with Virginia Christopherson and Deborah Price. She attended high school at Hathaway Brown School and the Cleveland Institute of Music as part of the Young Artist Program. Rachel continued her studies at CIM for her Bachelor of Music, during which time she really enjoyed her studies in Chamber Music with the Cavani Quartet and Suzuki Pedagogy with Kimberly Meier-Sims. She studied with Ms. Meier-Sims for two years, training through Suzuki Violin Books 1-10 plus Practicum. Rachel earned her Master of Music degree on merit fellowship scholarship at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance in 2013. Alongside her extensive training in performance, Rachel has also had the distinct pleasure of training with Suzuki teacher trainers Charles Krigbaum, Daina Volodka Staggs, Mark Mutter, Ed Kreitman, and Ronda Cole. Lifelong learning, regular training, and continued growth are an integral part of Rachel’s experience as a Suzuki teacher.

When she isn’t teaching, Rachel enjoys practicing Reiki, a form of energy work, training to be a Master level practitioner. She also treasures spending plenty of time gardening and investigating ways to progressively become a little bit more self-sufficient. Rachel’s precious shadow and studio mascot/receptionist is named Chili— yes, it’s where Chili Dog Strings came from. =) Chili is currently 9 and living her best life eating well, playing, listening to lessons, and giving therapy pets.

Ms. Samson is a firm believer in the saying “They’re rarely too young and never too old” to learn to play the viola or violin. She has a special place in her heart for older beginners, including adults! She loves and relates well with all ages and levels of students, and is passionate about exploring music with the unique individual that shows up to each lesson. She has been teaching since 2005, and is excited to continue learning and working with students. She and her husband, Neil Fong Gilfillan, have been in North TX (currently Plano) since Summer 2016. We know the transplant population in the DFW Metroplex is large, and can relate to what it is like to find yourself in a huge, new town. There’s a saying about Texas that goes, “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could!” =) We love the people we cross paths with here. Perhaps you will be the next! Please feel free to contact Rachel via phone or email, and in the meantime, do check out the studio website https://www.chilidogstrings.com/