Rachel Schultz

Rachel Schultz brings over a decade of dedicated leadership in music education and community engagement to Hawaii Youth Symphony. She joins HYS in July 2024 as its Chief Operating Officer; a newly created role in which she will oversee the areas of operational leadership and administration, human resources and staffing, and financial management.

A highly organized professional with a strong work ethic, Rachel blends experience from both the arts/non-profit and commercial/for-profit sectors. Rachel moved to Toledo as a founding member of the Toledo Symphony School of Music (TSSM) in September 2009. From 2010 to 2024, she served in various capacities: piano faculty member, TSSM Director, Director of Education and Community Engagement for the Toledo Symphony, and eventually, as Vice President of Education and Community Engagement for the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA).

A self-motivated leader, Rachel is skilled in identifying and implementing program improvements while streamlining processes. In fall 2018, she was one of 12 orchestra professionals chosen to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program of the League of American Orchestras. During this time, she also played a role in the merger negotiations between the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet, resulting in the formation of TAPA.

As the head of TAPA’s education initiatives, Rachel oversaw education, engagement, and outreach programs for the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, TSSM, and Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras. Programs of pride include the innovative Noisy Library Program, Plastic Band Project, Introduction to the Orchestra: A STEAM Experience for Head Start students, work within the Juvenile Court system, and TAPA in the Parks, the first community engagement program of TAPA to feature both music and dance components.

Prior to her time in Toledo, Rachel was a faculty member at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Bowling Green State University, the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City, and the Music Settlement in Cleveland, Ohio, where she served as interim director of the Suzuki Program. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a Master of Music, and a Professional Studies Certificate in Collaborative Piano, all from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She has also received extensive training in the Suzuki approach to music education.

Rachel’s drive for change and innovation has strengthened organizational stability and enhanced community impact throughout her career.