Rachel Brady

Rachel Brady (neé Bunyan) grew up in the Scottish Borders and began to play the French horn whilst a pupil at the Berwickshire High School at a time when music lessons were free to all. After some inspirational lessons in her sixth year with former St Mary's Music School teacher Terry Johns, she spent two years at Napier in Edinburgh studying horn with Charlie Floyd whilst also playing in NYOS and the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra.

Rachel went on to the Royal College of Music in London (BMus) studying with Tim Brown, Julian Baker and Sue Dent where her passion for horn playing was extended to the Baroque and Natural/Classical horn.  After graduating Rachel remained in London working with various orchestras, opera and ballet companies and chamber music ensembles. Later she played with many of the period instrument orchestras and in several West End shows (including three years in the band of Mary Poppins).

Since returning to the Scottish Borders with her young family in 2010, Rachel has been keen to pass on her knowledge and experience of horn playing and get more young people playing the instrument. As well as teaching at St Mary’s Music School, Broughton Music School, Napier University and several other Edinburgh schools she has coached at SScOT (Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust) and the Borders Youth Orchestra. In Scotland, Rachel has continued her period instrument enthusiasm with Ludus Baroque and the SCO. She also works regularly with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and the other Scottish orchestras.