A native of Tucson, Arizona, Molly Rife began playing the cello at age 10. Growing up in a family full of musicians, it was no surprise that she developed a passion for music as a youngster. Molly decided to brave the cold and is now an active performer and teacher in Chicago. Molly holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance from Arizona State University where she studied with Thomas Landschoot. She received her Master of Music degree in Performance from DePaul University under the tutelage of Stephen Balderston.
Molly currently holds a position with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Iowa, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the New Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to orchestra, Molly enjoys playing in a chamber music setting and is a current and founding member of the Douglas Quartet, a cello quartet comprised of DePaul School of Music Alums. Molly has performed at venues including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Tribune Tower, Stage 773, the Merle Reskin Theatre, Constellation, the ARC Gallery, and the Greenhouse Theatre.
Molly is enthusiastic about various genres of music and thrives on adding cello to a wide scope of musical ensembles, whether it be performing with a hip hop band, a folk singer, or collaborating with a DJ. She has performed and recorded with bands and artists including KYGO, Noname Hiding, Sidewalk Chalk, B Forrest, Sir the Baptist, Sharon Irving, Isaiah Oby, Da$htone, Inho and the Violet Suns, Joe George, Layla Frankel, Sedgewick, Heazza, Urban Twang, Molly Coleman, Gia Margaret, yonee, and Aryk Crowder. She has performed at many local Chicago venues, including Thalia Hall, the House of Blues, SPACE, Lincoln Hall, Double Door, The Promontory, The Hideout, Fulton Street Collective, Reggie's, Martyrs, Schubas Tavern, Tonic Room, Wire, Artifact Events, and Uncommon Ground. Molly has performed for Electric Forest, Summerfest, Sofar Sounds Chicago, The Dojo, Dunn Dunn Fest, the Logan Square Arts Festival, and the Wabash Arts Crawl.
In addition to performing, Molly loves to teach aspiring cellists of all ages, both as a Suzuki and traditional instructor. Molly maintains a private cello studio and teaches private and group cello lessons at the Merit School of Music. She has also taught at Terra Sounds School of Music and Arts, the People's Music School, Southport Performing Arts Conservatory, City Strings Chicago, Music For Kids NFP, and Sherry-Brener Ltd.
When Molly isn’t playing the cello, she is most likely journaling, taking pictures, drinking coffee, and listening to hip hop music.