New England based pedal and traditional Scottish harpist, Rachel Clemente, has had a passion for music from the early age of five. She began her harp training as a student of the Suzuki method and is now a certified Suzuki teacher and avid supporter of the methodology.

She is a graduate of renowned arts boarding high school Interlochen Arts Academy and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow where she obtained a bachelors degree in traditional Scottish music. Her accolades include winner of the U.S National Scottish Harp Championship in 2016 and winner of the Princess Margaret of the Isles Clàrsach Competition (USA) in 2021.

Since moving to Vermont in 2019, Rachel has focused on establishing herself in the New England folk scene as a soloist as well as performing in her duo, If You Must Know, with bagpiper Dan Houghton. She works to provide access to the lever harp and traditional Scottish music through her harp building program, Hands on Harps, and by offering lessons, classes, and workshops throughout New England.

Currently, Rachel is recording her debut solo album which features much of her instrumental compositional work which is heavily influenced by traditional Scottish and Gaelic melodies.