Rachelle Blake
Rachelle Blake is a firm believer that everyone can sing. This belief has enabled her to teach adults and children who have never sung before and those who want to improve their skills. She has trained students for choral festivals, musical theater, and for solos in the church. Rachelle’s student cliental has ranged from Pastors learning how to chant, choir members, (solo and ensemble), people participating in musical theater, and many others who simply want to express themselves musically. Every singer should strive for excellence and it has been Rachelle’s desire to enable her students to hone their skills further.
Rachelle, while trained classically, has had experience in many genres of music: In Classical music she has experience in singing Opera, Oratorio, Chamber, and Motet music. She also has some experience in Jazz, Gospel, Blue-grass, and other contemporary styles of music.
Rachelle is a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield with a BA in Music Education and Religious Studies. She went on to study Sacred Music at Luther Seminary where she received some musical training from the faculty at St. Olaf University in Northfield, MN.
Rachelle Blake began her own journey in Music quite meagerly, never truly believing that she could sing. Yet, the desire to sing was very strong. Her own teacher saw in her something she could not see herself, the heart of a musician. She began to sing simply in ensembles, and then began expanding into solo and small ensemble singing. This experience showed her that the desire of her heart could be fulfilled, and she hasn’t stop singing since.
While at the University Rachelle was taken under-the-wing of her own Voice teacher who taught her how to teach others to sing. Since then Rachelle has found great joy in watching and assisting others to grow musically. Music is one of the most exciting ways a person can express themselves and it is the goal of Rachelle to give others the opportunity to express what they may or may not have known was within them longing for expression.
Rachelle firmly believes that if she can sing so can anyone else; and if she can continue to grow musically, so can anyone else. She believes that a singer never “arrives” to a point where musical learning can simply stop. There is always more to learn and new techniques to try. Thusly, Rachelle is still taking lessons and searching for new techniques to try for her own personal growth and for her student’s growth.