Music Teachers Blog

About Rachel Velarde

Internationally known Lyric Mezzo-Soprano Rachel Velarde began her music career in Bloomington, Indiana. After receiving her B.A. in Music from Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, Rachel earned two Master of Music degrees at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. Luminaries she has worked with include Vernon Hartman, James Caraher, Lorenzo Malfatti, Shirlee Emmons, Mary Sue Hyatt, John Sikora, David Jones, Kamal Khan, Hugh Keelan, David Britton, and Carol Smith. Rachel offers private, one-on-one weekly or twice-weekly instruction to students of all ages, although she specializes in the young developing voice - currently students range in age from 9-56. She accompanies her students (on piano) as much as possible and encourage healthy singing, coupled with a working knowledge of the voice. Singing is, above all, FUN. If you love it, you can learn it. Rachel's goal as a teacher is to give her students a “toolbox” for their vocal technique, so that they can work towards a healthy, free and easy production. She believes her students should be able to sing for a lifetime of enjoyment, so she strives to provide them with a firm foundation of knowledge in how their own voice works.