Rachel graduated from the school of music at the University of Wales with BMus (hons) in 2003 and is known for her "shimmering soprano voice" and vocal versitility. During her degree course, Rachel’s vocal engagements included country-wide performances with the award-winning female vocal ensemble Voices SA and a coloratura masterclass with Cardiff Singer of the World’s Ingrid Surgenor.

Rachel also made guest appearances as the soprano soloist with both Cardiff Bach Choir and Cardiff University Music Society’s Chamber Ensemble and Chorus, and she also performed in the premier of the 2002 composition Carolau Mair, by the renowned Welsh composer, Geraint Lewis.

Over the past ten years, Rachel has performed in venues across Prague as the soprano soloist in Tippet’s A Child of Our Time,

 

reached the semi finals of BBC’s Choirgirl of the Year 1996, and is the singer of choice for the international Christian speaker, Adrian Plass, to perform on his UK tour dates. Rachel also appears in a quartet and trio on the original recording of Singing The Mystery- Hildegard Revisited by British composer June Boyce-Tilman. In April 2006, Rachel sang live on air for the radio station B200 FM, to commemorate the life and works of Isembard Kingdom Brunel.

In 2006, Rachel travelled to Austria to perform the soprano solo role in the premier of Namarie, written in the Elvish language of JRR Tolkien. During her time in Austria, Rachel also performed a new arrangement of Yarmouth Fair by Peter Warlock, arranged for her by the Royal Opera’s Julian Baker.

Since 2007 Rachel has been the featured vocalist with a British rock ensemble, with whom she is currently recording the album, Simulacra. Rachel has also been featured extensively on BBC radio, television news and in the local press for her success, reaching the finals of two international songwriting contests with a song from her debut contemporary album, Sparks Under the Snow.

Prizes won include the Churchill Music Prize 1999, Friends of the Playhouse Stage and Film Award and the Kingswood Vocal Prize.
Bursaries won include the Michael James Trust sacred music bursary 2006.

Rachel Walker - Soprano