Meet the Musicians: Principal Tuba, Rachel Kelly
13 November 2024. Interview by Sally Glaetzer.
Brisbane born musician Rachel Kelly was recently appointed as the TSO's Principal Tuba. In this Meet the Musicians interview, Rachel discusses overcoming 'imposter syndrome', defying outdated stereotypes and embracing her femininity on stage.
Rachel studied at the Queensland Conservatorium, where she was the winner of the 2020 Beta Sigma Phi Brass Prize and recipient of the Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship. She was a student at the Australian National Academy of Music and, in 2022, was an inaugural participant in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Academy program.
She has played with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia and as a soloist with the Queensland Conservatorium Orchestra and the TSO.
Now based in Hobart, Rachel regularly returns to Brisbane, where she plays with three-piece ensemble The Boxties.
Rachel will perform at our Brass at St David's concert on 29 November 2024.
Congratulations Rachel on your appointment as TSO Principal Tuba! Please tell us a little about your musical career.
I first started playing tuba in school. I was very lucky to grow up with access to music education through the Queensland state school music system and I was surrounded by many amazing teachers who inspired me to pursue music professionally. After high school I studied at the Queensland Conservatorium and then moved to Melbourne to study at the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). I was fortunate enough to land a short-term contract with TSO last year after a couple of years at ANAM. I ended up working with the TSO for around 9 months and then secured the job permanently after an audition earlier this year.
At 25, you’ve achieved a lot at a relatively young age. Is age something you think about?
I don’t think age is a hugely important factor. For me I think there was a lot of luck, good fortune and good timing that led me to be where I am today. The only thing I would say is that being a young and relatively inexperienced musician in a principal role has come with quite a bit of imposter syndrome to deal with, especially when I first started. But my fellow musicians at the TSO are so wonderful and such a friendly bunch of people that they really make me feel at ease.
Globally, tuba positions in orchestras are still largely dominated by men. How do you feel about helping to break down assumptions and stereotypes about tuba players?
In the tuba world, male players are definitely still in the majority, but it’s becoming far more common to see female tuba players. I’m far from being the only one - out of the seven full time orchestral tuba positions in Australia, three of us are women. I’ve definitely come up against some archaic ideologies over the years that playing the tuba isn’t ‘lady-like’ or that women lack the strength and size to play the instrument. But these ideas just aren’t true. I love being myself on stage and embracing my femininity which, as a result, may help break down these assumptions and stereotypes people have about tuba players.
Rachel enjoys the camaraderie among TSO musicians, especially the low brass section, pictured here in Hobart's Federation Concert Hall.
What do you love most about the tuba?
For me, tuba is the instrument that is my vessel to sing. I like to think of myself as a musician first and tuba player second. It just so happens to be the instrument I am able to use to convey the things I want to say through music. I do however love the versatility and richness of the tuba sound. I love that it can provide the most incredible depth, warmth and power to the bottom of a chord in the orchestra, while also having the ability to play soaring melodies and be incredibly virtuosic.
Is there someone who has been a role model to you in your career?
I’ve had so many incredible role models throughout my career, but two people that come to mind are my dear friends Steph McCaw and Ashreya Ward. Steph and Ashreya began as my teachers in school but I continue to work with them to this day in an ensemble called The Boxties in Brisbane. They have been the most wonderful mentors to me, guiding me all the way from school until now and I have learnt so much from them as people and as the incredible musicians that they are.
What have been some of your favourite moments while performing with the TSO?
There have already been many highlights performing with the TSO. Some that come to mind include performing Sibelius 2 and Tchaikovsky 5 last year, both of which are pieces I absolutely adore. I’m so lucky to have the most amazing trombone section at the TSO to work with and I love working with them and playing as one organic organism, being swept up in the music we’re creating as an orchestra. It’s a really magical feeling.
What are your interests outside of work?
I’ve recently enjoyed getting back into dance classes. I used to dance when I was younger so it’s been so wonderful to come back to a hobby that I loved so much as a kid. I’ve been attending a tap and a jazz class at a dance studio here in Hobart, which has been a lot of fun.
How do you unwind after a big performance?
The TSO has a really nice culture of spending time with each other after a performance. Quite often a large majority of the musicians will stay back in the green room for a drink and a hang after a concert, which I find is a really nice way to unwind after a concert.
Join us at St David's Cathedral for one of our popular brass and percussion concerts on 29 November. Once you have your ticket, you'll have the option to book in for a post-concert drink with the musicians, across the road at Hadley's Orient Hotel. Book now.
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Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra musicians performing a Tim Jones piece in the popular Brass at St David's concert series.
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