Rachel Van Voorhees
Rachel Van Voorhees, a Symphony Harpist for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, was born and raised in New York. She started studying the harp early and attended Juilliard School during high school. Thinking she wanted to be a premed major while studying the harp, Rachel attended Purchase College and then earned her graduate degree from Yale University. While at Yale, Rachel auditioned for the New Orleans Symphony, was invited to join, and moved to New Orleans in 1977. Rachel and her family have been active members of Touro Synagogue, and she has served on the board of Temple Sinai. She has two children, a son and a daughter.
Rachel traces her educational and career path to becoming a classically trained harp player with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. She tells the story of coming to New Orleans in 1977 after winning an audition with the symphony. Rachel discusses her personal and professional life in New Orleans, her involvement with both Touro Synagogue and Temple Sinai, and what it is like to be Jewish in primarily Catholic New Orleans. Rachel describes the impact of Hurricane Katrina on her and her family life. Her home was damaged; the roof was torn off, and the house flooded. Her marriage was fractured. Two years after the storm, wireless service has not been returned, and only two of her neighbors in the Lakewood neighborhood have moved back in. Rachel talks about her children, how the storm impacted their lives, and where they ended up after the storm. After Katrina, Rachel took a leave of absence from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, lived in Jackson Hole for a year, and traveled around the country, joining various major orchestras in the United States. Rachel is uncertain about staying in New Orleans but loves the city and the people.
