Rachael trained at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she majored in Academic Studies. She also gained a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Manchester. As well as her work for YYM, she is an examiner for International Baccalaureate and has taught and lectured for the Music departments of Manchester, Salford and Huddersfield Universities. She is a tutor at the Junior RNCM and a clarinettist, pianist and recorder player who performs regularly both as a soloist and orchestral musician.
Claire graduated from the University of Hull with a first class degree in Music in 2004 where she was also awarded the Departmental Prize for outstanding musical achievement. In 2005, Claire gained the Associated Board diploma in singing.
Claire has been teaching singing, flute and music theory privately and in schools for over 15 years and currently teaches at Hull University and at Wyke Sixth Form College, Hull. Claire is also a music theory examiner for Trinity College, London and an associate of Eclectic Music, Hull’s new centre for music tuition and performance, and on the education team of the British Flute Society.
Since 2020, Claire has also been composing and producing music both as an artist herself, and for others. Her arrangements of many genres of music for flute and virtual instruments can be found on her Youtube channel, where she has also grown a thriving community of music lovers who regularly enjoy her livestream shows. Her original music has been featured on BBC introducing and includes an ep of collaborations with Australian guitarist Evzen Burda.