West Mt. Airy resident Rachel Cama Nemer will be offering free cello introductory workshops on July 26 and Aug. 23 for the Chestnut Hill Music Academy at St. Paul's Church. (Photo by Becky Oehlers)

by Len Lear

Talk about your talented multi-tasker. West Mt. Airy resident Rachel Cama Nemer, 37, who will be offering free cello introductory workshops on July 26 and Aug. 23 for the Chestnut Hill Music Academy at St. Paul's Church, has been a journalist, singer, teacher, cellist and yoga instructor, all at the professional level. “I am interested in a lot of things,” she said last week in an obvious understatement.

Rachel, who grew up in Towanda, northern Pennsylvania, a town of under 4,000 people, began playing the cello at age 4, using the Suzuki method. “My mother, a physician’s assistant by career, was a gifted scholar who studied early childhood education methods ‘for fun’ and came across Suzuki’s philosophy. She was musical, but not a musician, per se; she just had the interest in exposing me to string instruments.

“My mother played flute, piano and sang. My father dabbled in the guitar. Both of my younger brothers played an array of instruments, starting with strings — cello and viola, respectively.”

Nemer graduated from Penn State University in 2003, where she was a scholarship student. She proceeded to earn an academic music master's degree from Brandeis University and a performance graduate degree from Longy School of Music near Boston that enabled her to specialize in Early Music Performance Practice.

“I had knowledge of early European music (pre-1750),” she said. “Getting a job proved tough for something so specialized, so I have been exclusively a freelancer. I played and sang regularly with a few small chamber ensembles, one of which I directed, all over the country. In performances, I jumped between playing cello, viola da gamba and singing. I did lectures and taught at universities.”

Nemer has never auditioned for a classical orchestra because the music she specializes in is mostly chamber music, but she has played with Baroque orchestras and operas.

“Honestly, it is extremely difficult (to make a living as a professional classical musician), but, that depends on what you consider 'making a living.' I feel being a professional classical musician is all about creativity, versatility and a positive outlook. Or maybe it is just about tenacity and stubbornness. You need all of it!”

Rachel wound up in West Mt. Airy after traveling to take lessons with Sarah Cunningham, a renowned viola da gamba player who had recently moved back to her town of origin, Haverford. At the time Rachel was taking a year “off” to study yoga and Eastern philosophy. “When my year came to an end, Sarah invited me to live at her home for a time to motivate me to move to Philadelphia permanently, thinking it would be a good fit. That was seven years ago, and she was absolutely right. She is a wise mentor and friend. I’ve chosen to live here indefinitely.”

One reason for Rachel's upcoming workshops is to motivate more young children to start playing the cello. “There are many resources in Northwest Philly for violin –– and many little violinists (Rachel also teaches violin). I am not sure if it is the size of the cello — not a concern since they make small cellos — or just that children don’t think of it, but we need more cellists! I am also trying to 'bust' the myth that older people (adults) cannot start to play cello. They can. And they should try.”

Currently, Rachel performs on viola da gamba, vielle and Baroque 'cello throughout the country and abroad. She can also be heard as a professional choral singer in liturgical settings.

Rachel was the winner of a Young Artist Grant-in-Aid from the Viola da Gamba Society of America and has been awarded several scholarships for both her performing talents and academic writing in the field of early music.

Rachel’s journey to yoga was the result of a lifetime of performing classical music. Overuse injury and chronic illness necessitated a hiatus from her music career, at which point she decided to embrace yoga fully by pursuing intensive training. Soon, Rachel arrived at the Himalayan Institute, a center for yoga and holistic living, situated in the Pocono Mountains.

Rachel then stayed to complete to a year-long residency as writer on the editorial staff of Yoga International, the Institute’s award-winning magazine. While living at the Himalayan Institute, she took part in intense sadhana (spiritual practice) which included daily meditation, study of scripture and asana (yoga postures).

More information at www.rachelcamanemer.com

TO BE CONTINUED