Associate Principal Flutist, New York City Ballet Orchestra
Rachel Blumenthal serves as Associate Principal Flutist of the New York City Ballet Orchestra, a position she was appointed to in 2024. Recognized for her versatility and artistry, she has built an impressive career spanning opera, symphonic, chamber, and ballet performance.
Since 2019, Blumenthal has spent her summers in Santa Fe, New Mexico, performing as Second Flute and Piccolo with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. She has also held positions with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, in addition to permanent appointments with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra.
Before relocating to New York City, Blumenthal enjoyed a successful decade as a freelance musician in Chicago, appearing regularly with many of America’s leading ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Washington National Opera. She has also performed as a chamber musician at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and with Music of the Baroque in Chicago.
Blumenthal earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan and her Master of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University. She has been a fellow at several of the nation’s most prestigious training programs, including the Tanglewood Music Center, Aspen Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, and Brevard Music Center.
A dedicated performer and educator, Rachel credits much of her artistic development to the guidance of her distinguished teachers, particularly Jeanne Baxtresser and Amy Porter, whose influence helped shape her musical career.