People Are Talking...
...about voice lessons...
I found Rachel when I moved to Chicago because I was specifically looking for an instructor that was an Estill Master Trainer and I am beyond lucky to have found her. My journey with voice has been a love hate relationship because I have often not been proud of who I am as a singer but my journey with Rachel has been quite the opposite. Rachel has a way of making all her students feel proud of their progress even when singing isn't my priority as a performer so growth is sometimes slow. She still takes each lesson as I am and as I have prepared and works with it every time and I leave every lesson excited to sing more.
As a variety performer, singing is important to me for the stage but working with Rachel has made singing more important with me on a personal level. Each song we work on has a purpose which gives me joy in working to make it better. And she prepares me as a student so well that even when I don't think I'm growing as a singer I revisit a song and then all of the sudden it's so much easier to sing because Rachel puts in the work to have me skill build. That is always such a win.
Rachel is one of the most kind and understanding people that I have met in Chicago. She always cares about my life outside of voice and is open to focusing on skills that I want to focus on personally while challenging me with new skills that I might not be so keen to learn at the same time. It is the perfect healthy mix ( no pun intended) Oh and by the way she is very funny and I like funny people.
-Grace T, Chicago, IL
Rachel is a patient, understanding, and welcoming teacher. She makes you feel comfortable from the moment you walk in the door till the moment you leave. Not only this, but her knowledge and hunger to learn with you and about you is so encouraging. I’ve found if a teacher is willing to learn from their student, then their student moves along with the teacher at a much more successful and productive rate. The relationship formed on that journey is best support you can get from any teacher or coach!
-Jamie B, Liverpool, England
I have been taking lessons with Rachel for almost five years, and our work together has yielded many benefits in both my professional life as a performer and in the daily use of my voice. I have gained better vocal awareness with an emphasis on healthy vocal practices. As an understudy for the Second City Mainstage, I was able to maintain a schedule of eight shows a week without a microphone due to vocal choices that helped build my stamina and efficiency. Better vocal awareness has also been helpful as an Ensemble member with improvised shows like ComedySportz and Baby Wants Candy where I am able to more effectively make choices that serve the music and moment. Lessons with Rachel helped me recognize, identify, and label my vocal choices for better technique, quality, and sustainability.
Additionally, Rachel helped me create a consistent, manageable vocal routine while keeping me aware of vocal practices outside of shows and rehearsals. From talking to coworkers in-person or via Zoom at my day job to understanding the importance of warm downs after strenuous vocal use, Rachel has taught me techniques that have helped me maintain my vocal quality for days where I have used my voice for eight hours or more.
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Rachel is immensely knowledgable about vocal techniques and breaks down concepts in easy to understand ways, regardless of a person’s vocal experience. She is also very personable and passionate about her craft.
-Louie C, Chicago, IL
Rachel did a superhuman job directing my son's 8th grade play. Her ability to teach a group of kids containing very few actual singers made for a performance beyond our wildest dreams. I hired Rachel to prepare my son for a high school audition. The thing that becomes apparent immediately is how much she cares. She not only taught him the correct way to sing the piece, but also gave him the confidence to perform it for the audition. I highly recommend Rachel. She relates so well to these kids--my son just loves her.
- Sharon K, Wilmette IL
Rachel is a great voice teacher! More than anything, she is thoughtful and dedicated. She’s also good at observing what my singing issues are and finding technical solutions that improve my performance. She continually listens and adjusts in our lessons, and introduces me to helpful ideas that I had not encountered before. I recommend her highly. -Thomas E, Chicago, IL
...about consulting...
Rachel's workshop on risk-taking should be required for all humans trying to survive in the world right now. Her messages and guidance surrounding risk, regret, and resilience are so universal and applicable to all, yet the structure she provides creates a very personal experience, where one is encouraged to engage in self-discovery in a community-building environment. She will push you, yet she never fails to make everything manageable by providing tangible strategies to work with the challenges and questions she poses. Rachel truly knows how to combine business and play in a way that makes difficult things (like risk-taking) feel easy and fun. No matter what walk of life you're from or what profession you're in, this workshop is for you. So take a risk, and sign up!
-Katie E, Chicago IL
We hired Rachel to host a risk-taking workshop for our company retreat and my employees are still talking about it 3 months later! The entire executive team has commented on the tangible change in how our teams communicate and the increase in ideas and creative thinking. We’ll absolutely consider having her back in future years! Rachel is a joy to work with and brings a refreshing energy for the 9-5 community.
-Eleanor O., Chicago, IL