Rachel Kecskes

Ms. Kecskes is thrilled to be the new Helena Middle School choir teacher! Ms. Kecskes grew up in Helena Montana, and began her musical adventures taking piano lessons, and viola at C R Anderson Middle School. She took orchestra and choir throughout high school at Capitol High School and also learned guitar. After high school Ms. Kecskes attended Eastern Oregon University graduating with a Bachelors of Music degree with emphasis on piano performance. While attending EOU Ms. Kecskes participated in every ensemble that she could squeeze into her schedule, from African drumming to fiddle ensemble to chamber choir. In her free time she accompanied church choirs, played in pit orchestras, performed at open mics and adjudicated music festivals.

Ms. Kecskes has always been passionate about music and enjoys playing in classical traditions as well as Old-Time, Bluegrass, Indie Rock, Celtic, East African, and European folk traditions. She currently plays for the Butte Symphony and sings for Musikanten Choir, has a private studio and will be teaching at after school and summer music programs through Ironhorse. She has played in the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra, Oregon East Symphony, has taught at Wallowa Fiddle Tunes Camp and Last Chance Music Camp and Lesson Camp. While piano and viola are her main instruments, she also enjoys playing violin, cello, bass, djembe, accordion, ukulele, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, banjo, and especially singing. Ms. Kecskes is also close to completing a Masters in Education with K-12 licensure and a music endorsement from University of Montana and is incredibly excited to be working for the Helena School District.