Faculty
Rachel Durling
First-Third Grade Violin Teacher
Rachel Durling grew up in Berkeley and studied violin with Anne Crowden. She received her bachelor of music degree from Mannes College of Music in New York City and her M.A. from Stanford University. Since returning to the Bay Area in 1985, she has played professionally with many groups, including the Santa Rosa Symphony, California Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, the Bay Area Jazz Composers Orchestra, and the Cuban Danzon group Orquesta La Moderna Tradicion. Rachel performs often with her groups, The Armanino Trio (with Dina Weinshelbaum), and Corvo String Quartet. In addition to her work at Black Pine Circle School, she teaches at the Crowden School, gives private lessons, and enjoys a successful concert schedule with her group, Baguette Quartette. Rachel joined the Black Pine Circle School music faculty in 1991. Her son Benjamin (a 2022 graduate of CalPoly SLO), graduated from BPC in 2014.
Why I Work with Children
I love working with kids because they’re open and sweet.
A Favorite Book
All great literature!
Quick Fact
Played at the Grammys
Other Faculty for This Grade
Aïda Garcia-Pons
Lower School Spanish Teacher
Aïda attended the same elementary school as opera tenor Josep Carreras.
Chelsea Feldman
First Grade Head Teacher, Kindergarten and First Grade Garden Teacher
Learning to play the Celtic Harp and studying Irish Gaelic
Nicole Lockwood
Lower School Science and Second – Fifth Grade Garden Teacher
Apprenticed at the National Theater of Croatia
Romina Ronquillo
Second Grade Head Teacher and Lower School Assistant Teacher Coordinator
Mad for dancing
Tess Leverenz
Third Grade Head Teacher
Took three and a half months to bike across the country with my husband