"The New Rachel" is the premiere episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the sixty-seventh episode overall. Written by Ryan Murphy and directed by Brad Falchuk, it aired on Fox in the United States on September 13, 2012. The episode features Rachel (Lea Michele) beginning school at the New York Academy of the Dramatic Arts (NYADA), while at McKinley High, the national champion New Directions glee club must regroup after losing eight seniors to graduation. Special guest star Kate Hudson makes her first appearance as Rachel's dance instructor, Cassandra July, and Whoopi Goldberg returns as NYADA dean Carmen Tibideaux.