Posting Date: April 30, 2012
Meet Rachel Halverson: Cellist and healer
By Brittany Kell
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Rachel Halverson |
Marietta native Rachel Halverson has two loves: music and nursing. “I’ve known ever since the eighth grade that I wanted to be a music major,” Rachel explains. “Since I also wanted to double major in nursing, coming to Kennesaw State was a match made in heaven.”
Now a sophomore, Rachel was first introduced to the university when she was as a cellist in the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra. KSU Director of Orchestra Michael Alexander is also the director of the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra. “Rachel is a dedicated student with a great attitude about her love for music and the cello,” says Alexander. “She has tremendous talent, but has matured musically so much in the two years she has been at KSU.”
Since coming to KSU, Rachel has maintained a 3.8 GPA. During her freshman year she was asked to sit as principal cellist in the KSU orchestra. In addition to performing in the orchestra, Rachel performed in the wind ensemble, mixed chamber concerts and opera performances. As a result of her hard work, Rachel received the 2011 Audrey and Jack Morgan Endowed Scholarship in Music. “I cannot see my life without music,” Rachel says. “It has changed me so much as a person in such a positive way, and I hope that I will be able to share that with others in the future.”
When she is not performing or practicing, Rachel babysits children with type I diabetes. “I am in the process of applying to volunteer with Camp Kudzu, which is a camp for children with diabetes,” she explains.
After graduation, Rachel wants to be a nurse working with diabetic children and play in a professional symphony. Rachel’s advice for anyone planning on pursuing a music major, “You should always be humble and work as hard as you possibly can. Always remember that there are other kids out there working harder.”