Sharilyn Rak is a freelance musician performing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Primarily an orchestral musician, she served as principal percussionist in the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years, retiring from that organization in 2023. Other ensembles she has performed with include the Washington Symphonic Brass (of which she is a founding member), Arlington Philharmonic, Piedmont Symphony, Cathedral Brass, Alexandria Symphony, National Gallery Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Maryland Symphony, and Roanoke Symphony, where she also served as Co-Principal Percussion and Assistant Timpani.
Being a freelancer has allowed Sharilyn to perform with many different artists over the years. These have included Michael Feinstein, Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Phyllis Diller, Gordon MacRae, The Who (2019 World Tour), and two Popes—Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis during their 2008 and 2015 U.S. visits, respectively.
As an educator, Sharilyn has privately taught students of all ages as well as coached various percussion sections in middle and high schools. She has created educational programs about percussion and used them to entertain children in public elementary schools, private schools, and county parks during the summer.
Her recordings include albums with the Washington Symphonic Brass, The Washington Winds (Omega Studios, Rockville, MD), and the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. She has been a member of the Capital Wind Symphony since 2019.
Ms. Rak studied percussion performance, receiving her Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and her Master’s degree from The Catholic University of America.
