Rachel Forgrieve (known professionally as Rachel Holt) studied at the RNCM with Trevor Wye, and during this time was a prizewinner in the Young Artists’ Competition of the International Flute Association, held in the USA. She was the Principal Flute in the Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra for fifteen years, and is currently Principal Flute with Sinfonia Viva.
As a freelance performer she has played with many of Britain’s leading orchestras, including the Hallé, Manchester Camerata, Manchester Concert Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra (Russell Watson), Northern Ballet Sinfonia, Orchestra da Camera and the Philharmonia. Rachel also performs with the light music group Fourtune and is a member of the chamber ensemble Zephyr. She is one half of Appassionata, a flute and harp duo which, in addition to performing at weddings and functions and giving workshops, has released a CD entitled Music To Iron By.
Rachel has taught the flute at Chetham’s School of Music for over 25 years. She has taught at the Junior RNCM and Lancaster University and she currently teaches at AKS (Arnold School) and Clevelands Preparatory School. She is also a tutor for the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.
She has been the adjudicator for music festivals and has given masterclasses in association with Miyazawa Flutes.
