Dr. Rachel Frederiksen is the Instructor of Bassoon at the University of Alabama. Her previous appointment was at the University of Texas at San Antonio as Lecturer of Bassoon. Originally from New Braunfels, TX, Dr. Frederiksen taught a large private studio in the surrounding area and served as principal bassoonist of the Heart of Texas Concert Band and second bassoonist for the Symphony of the Hills orchestra in Kerrville, TX. Her high school students have found continued success in Texas and Michigan All-State competitions.

As an artist, Dr. Frederiksen gave the WORLD PREMIERE of the wind band transcription of the Weber Bassoon Concerto last May with the Heart of Texas Concert Band. She is a collaborator on Ricardo Lorenz’s chamber CD, Open Borders, which was released in December 2020. ‘Tendril Rapture’ was written for oboe, bassoon, and piano as part of a commissioning project that was funded through a grant award from the 2019 MSU Running Start Entrepreneurship Competition. Dr. Frederiksen has also performed chamber works at the last two International Double Reed Society conferences. She has also received invitations to perform her Latin themed recital and lecture recital proposals for the Boulder, CO conference later this summer.

As a researcher, Dr. Frederiksen is actively investigating the life and works of German composer Emilie Mayer, and actively transcribing her violin sonatas to be performable on bassoon. She also focuses on undergraduate teaching techniques and student learning in higher education in both private bassoon lessons and classroom teaching. While at MSU, Dr. Frederiksen was a part of a team of researchers and artists from the Michigan State University Residential College of Arts and Humanities (RCAH) Fellowship Program. Their project, titled ‘Love the Learner,’ investigates professor/student relationships and their effects on student learning. The preliminary findings show that developing deeper connections with students, having student input on class structure and topics, and having clear personal and work boundaries allow for positive learning environments. 
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Dr. Frederiksen completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Michigan State University. She holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Texas Lutheran University and a Master of Music and Master of Music Education degrees from Baylor University, where she was inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Fraternity. When she is not busy teaching, performing, or reed-making, you can find Dr. Frederiksen hanging out with her friends or helping her parents with their many basset hounds and cats in their home in Texas.

Upcoming Events:

April 5th: Side-by-Side Concert with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble
Featured Soloist: Dead Elvis 
7:30pm, Location TBD

July 26-30th: International Double Reed Society Conference 
Latin on America Recital
Location/Time/Date TBD
Emilie Mayer Lecture Recital
Location/Time/Date TBD
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