Our Team

These are the people who contribute to creating and running our chapel services. We are grateful for all of their help, and consider them worthy of the spotlight! Here’s a little bit about them.

Rachel Toone, Dean of Spiritual Formation

The Rev. Rachel Toone hails from the Pacific Northwest with a dash of Boston. Thus, she loves mountains, the ocean, snow, rain, and a lot of coffee, and pretty much never saw the sun until she was 21 years old. Rachel also loves to travel, read dusty old books, and eat Oreos (not necessarily all at the same time but she’s definitely open to it). In another life she would’ve pursued a career as a jazz drummer. If you can’t find Rachel in her office, she is probably on top of Lookout Mountain. But if you don’t feel like hiking up there you can reach her at rachel.toone@montreat.edu or x3537.

Pete Buchwald, Assistant Professor of Music Business Studies in Communication and the Arts

Prof. Pete Buchwald joined the Montreat College faculty in 2018 as an assistant professor of music business. Prior to coming to Montreat, he was a faculty member in the College of Arts & Media at the University of Colorado, Denver. Prof. Buchwald also taught courses in sound recording technology and songwriting at Colorado Christian University. Prior to teaching, he served as a campus minister on staff with Cru for eight years in the Boston metro area, working with arts students from Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, and others.

Prof. Buchwald began his musical career as a saxophone player and earned his bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas, where he wrote songs for big band and vocal groups. He earned his master’s in recording arts at the University of Colorado. And he has worked in the music industry in a variety of contexts, including live sound, studio production, and songwriting.

When not in the classroom, Prof. Buchwald can be found fly-fishing, playing with synthesizers, writing and producing music, and spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Get Involved

I’m passionate about music, art, spoken word, poetry, and/or sound and video tech. Who do I talk to about using these gifts in chapel?

Rachel would love to talk with you! Email her at rachel.toone@montreat.edu.