Mrs. Ulsh Bio

My name is Mrs. Rachel Ulsh and I am the Choral Director and Musical Director at Selinsgrove Area High School, my Alma Mater! I am very excited to be in this position! I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share my education, experiences, and teaching philosophy with you. As your young adult’s music teacher, I am looking forward to teaching and guiding each student in their musical journey. A personal goal for me is to help make each student’s experience a positive one as they grow in their knowledge and appreciation for music. 

I am a Port Trevorton-Selinsgrove native and also a 2005 Selinsgrove Area School District graduate (maiden name of Weir). I am a summa cum laude graduate of Susquehanna University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with double concentrations in voice and clarinet in 2009. I have a Masters of Music in Music Education from Kent State University with a concentration in voice and general music. I am also pursuing my second Master's degree in Choral Conducting from Messiah University!

I enjoy accompanying and performing on piano, teaching various instruments and voice through my private studio in Port Trevorton, performing, and developing new methods of music education. Throughout college, I was an active participant of the band, choral and orchestra ensembles, chamber ensembles, and student performances such as opera and recitals. I directed and performed in many musicals throughout my career. I also toured throughout Europe with a performing music organization called Sound of America in 2004. When not directing a musical, I enjoy performing as a pit musician. I have performed as a clarinetist, keyboardist, and saxophonist in several musical pits over the past several years.

After completing college, I married my High School sweetheart, Alex Ulsh, in 2009 and started a K-5 Long-Term Substitute Vocal/General Music Teacher position at Middleburg Elementary School. After that position ended, I began my new position at Shamokin Area Middle/High School as the 7-12 Middle/High School Choral Director and Musical Director. However, due to furloughs throughout the district, my position ended after two years. I was briefly employed as the High School Choral Music Teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School for three weeks before I accepted a position as the K-6 General/Choral Music Teacher at Mount Carmel Area Elementary School. After three years there, I accepted a new position as the 5-8 General/Choral Music Teacher at Susquenita School District in Duncannon. I also completed a Masters of Music in Music Education from Kent State University during 2013-2015 and most recently a Masters of Choral Conducting at Messiah University. After all these wonderful and enriching experiences, I finally made it “home” in 2016 and, to quote Wicked, the musical, “I couldn’t be happier”! 

Being a music educator for the past 16 years is not the only adventure I have pursued. I am also a mother of two children, Nova and Owen. I was the Music Director at Hope United Methodist Church in Port Trevorton for 15 years, recently resigning to pursue other ventures. I also taught in my private studio at my home before having children. My husband and I were active Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) with Dauntless Hook & Ladder (DH&L) Ambulance League here in Selinsgrove for several years. I currently do not run with the league due to a lack of time, although I do miss it! I was also the music director for Rejoicing Spirits, a church service specially designed for special needs persons. 

As a person and teacher, I am very enthusiastic, driven, and creative. I thoroughly enjoy developing new methods and activities needed to engage all students. I have successfully collaborated between music and different subjects and enjoy finding innovative ways to incorporate music throughout all educational avenues. I have an extraordinary passion for music education, conducting, and vocal development. I seek to inspire that passion in my students. I appreciate and honor what is already established in the Selinsgrove Area School District and find it exciting to add my personal touch to this music education program! 

As a former student and lifelong resident of Selinsgrove Area School District, I personally have experienced the value of music education in this area and am very excited and honored to have a career here and to guide students in making high-quality music! 

Now, enough about me! I am eager to get to know all my students and their parents throughout this coming school year. Here's to a great school year of making music!