Rachel, who grew up in Dorset, began making up songs from the minute she could utter her first vowels and consonants! She credits Disney’s subliminal messaging for the fact that she would serenade any animal she came across, channelling Snow White and her faithful flock of bluebirds. Around the age of two, she began ‘learning’ her first instrument, popping her tiny hands over her grandmother’s as she played the piano. From there, Rachel tried all manner of instruments, from the violin to the harp, taking up singing lessons at the age of eight. Trained as a classical soprano, during her studies at Cambridge, she joined various vocal ensembles and founded an a cappella group at Girton College. During this time, she met husband Luke, who got roped into every ensemble she set up (and consequently joined her on tours to Israel, Palestine, Italy and Singapore). Graduating in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, unable to pursue music in the traditional sense, she became a domiciliary care worker, affectionately known as ‘the singing carer!’ Subsequently completing a Masters in Commercial Songwriting and Production in London in 2022, Rachel has been working as a freelance artist, songwriter and producer ever since. Renowned for her use of a vocal loop pedal and her captivating personal lyrics, Rachel has gained support from BBC Introducing, released her first album (Songs For My Loved Ones), won the Purbeck Rising award at the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival and toured Germany twice. So, with her vocal career on an upwards trajectory, what motivated Rachel to join The Collaboration Choir? It was, she explains, a desire to tap into the joy of music within an inclusive community and witness the immensely positive impact it can have on individuals. “I was excited to find a community that was already established but had room to grow and which fitted my bubbly energetic personality,” smiles Rachel, who loves baking, but hates following recipes (the rebel!). Seeing members who may have been discouraged from singing in the past, finally feel that they fit seamlessly into the uplifting pop choir, has been incredibly empowering for Rachel. She also loves to witness the wall-to-wall beaming smiles from happy members at the end of each rehearsal; a surefire sign of the enjoyment that singing collaboratively brings!