Rachel Ballard (Stacy)

Rachel is a freelance viola player who divides her time between modern and period performance. She received a scholarship to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and also studied at the Royal College of Music, London. She has performed with ensembles such as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra amongst others, including performances at the BBC Proms, and concerts in the Palace of Versailles, France; Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman; and Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney. Rachel has been a member of the orchestra in the Thursford Christmas Spectacular – Europe’s largest Christmas variety show – since 2013, totalling over 600 performances. Rachel moved to Norfolk in 2019 after joining the Kavolini String Quartet, with whom she has enjoyed many chamber music performances, and more recently exploring the world of electric instruments. She is a member of Chaos Collective - a versatile chamber ensemble who work with contemporary composers as well as performing the great chamber works. Alongside pianist Brenda Blewett, Chaos Collective have founded the north Norfolk based Five Churches Festival. Rachel is also curating a viola festival in collaboration with the Belfry Arts Centre, Overstrand. She plays on a viola made for her by Norfolk based Dota Williams.