Rachel Clemente

Rachel Clemente is a New England-based Scottish lever and pedal harpist, composer and educator who has trained in and performed across the U.S. and Scotland. With her focus on traditional Scottish and Gaelic music, Rachel has performed at major festivals around the world, including the world-renowned Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, Boston Celtic Music Festival, and Yachats Celtic Music Festival. After graduating from Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Academy and later earning a bachelor’s degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (BMus traditional Scottish music), Rachel relocated to Vermont and has since focused on establishing herself in the New England folk scene. She frequently performs as a soloist, and is also one-half of the duo, If You Must Know, alongside bagpiper Dan Houghton. Rachel’s accolades include being named the U.S. National Scottish Harp Champion in 2016 and the winner of the U.S. Princess Margaret of the Isles Clàrsach Competition in 2021.