Rachelle Courtney is a Canadian jazz singer and music educator with over 15 years' experience teaching musical theatre and contemporary voice to professional and aspiring singers.
Recipient of the 2023 Forest City London Music Award for Jazz Vocals, Rachelle attributes her success as a jazz singer to the years she spent studying music at Humber College in Toronto with some of the finest jazz musicians in the country. In complement to her jazz background, Rachelle also holds a Diploma of Music Theatre from the Randolph College for the Performing Arts, which has significantly informed her performing practice, and is evident in her captivating stage presence, and ability to find the emotion and intention in a song's lyric. Her understanding of jazz has been shaped not only by the training she received from world-class musicians and educators, but also by the opportunities she has been given to perform and be part of the broader jazz community. From choral ensembles to big bands, Rachelle has enjoyed a rewarding career performing and collaborating with many different groups. She has been a featured singer with the Swing Shift Big Band at venues such as The Rex, and the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, and has recorded accompanying vocals for singer Lori Cullen on her album "Buttercup Bugle", with performances at Hugh's Room and the Harbourfront Centre Theatre. She has graced the stage in her hometown at the Westben Arts Festival Theatre, and Stirling Festival Theatre; and has performed as both a lounge singer and main-stage vocalist aboard Holland America and Celebrity cruise lines, touring the world and developing an international following. Her debut album "Unforgettable" has been featured on Toronto's Jazz FM91 and other radio stations across the country.
In addition to performing, Rachelle holds a Masters of Music Education from Western University where she has worked as a teaching assistant and vocal coach. She loves working with youth, and enthusiastically devotes her time as a voice teacher and adjudicator to young students pursuing careers in musical theatre and contemporary music. Rachelle is a contributor to the Conservatory Canada Contemporary Voice Exam Syllabus, and is a member of both the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association.
Rachelle lives in Southwestern Ontario with her jazz pianist husband, Nevin Campbell, and three daughters. She enjoys performing locally at concert halls, festivals, restaurants, and private functions.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church - Westminster Room
54 Queen St. N.
Kitchener, ON N2H 2H2
Time | Name | Titles | Home Festival |
---|---|---|---|
Time:10:00 AM | Name:Finley Thomson | Titles: Gravity by Sara Bareilles How to Be a Heartbreaker by Lukasz Gottwald, Benjamin Levin, Henry Walter, Ammar Malik, Marina Diamandis and Daniel Omelio Boomerang by YEBBA, Ilsey Juber and Thomas Brenneck | Home Festival:Newmarket |
Time:10:20 AM | Name:Gavin Gentry | Titles: Lay Me Down by Sam Smith Brother by Matt Corby Wondering Why by The Red Clay Strays | Home Festival:Peterborough |
Time:10:40 AM | Name:Kathryn Sears | Titles: Logical by Olivia Rodrigo, Daniel Nigro, and Julia Michaels Pink Pony Club by Kayleigh Rose Amstutz and Daniel Nigro Holding Out For A Hero by Jim Steinman | Home Festival:Hamilton |
Time:11:00 AM | Name:Guneet Mahal | Titles: Si t'étais là by Louane Emera Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley | Home Festival:Peel |
Time:11:20 AM | Name:Kseniia Pecherska | Titles: Too Sweet by Sergiu Gherman, Daniel Krieger Angels Like You by Andrew Wotman, Louis Bell Proklyatiye Rusalki by Angela Zhirkova | Home Festival:Toronto |
Time:11:40 AM | Name:Alexandra O'Farrell | Titles: A Million Reasons by Stefanie Germanotta Through the Eyes of Love, (Theme from Ice Castles) by Marvin Hamlish, Melissa Manchester Voila by Barbra Pravi | Home Festival:Ottawa Kiwanis |
Time | Name | Titles | Home Festival |
---|---|---|---|
Time:1:15 PM | Name:Kristina Bergeron | Titles: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Gerry Goffin, Carole King and Jerry Wexler Mama's Broken Heart by Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves | Home Festival:Newmarket |
Time:1:35 PM | Name:Alpha Montemayor | Titles: Wicked Game by Chris Isaac Fever by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell | Home Festival:Guelph |
Time:1:55 PM | Name:Tina Foote | Titles: Landslide by Stevie Nicks You Can't Hurry Love by Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland & Eddie Holland | Home Festival:Grey County |
Time:2:15 PM | Name:Tracey Szarka | Titles: Goodby Yellow Brick Road, Sara Bareilles cover by Bernie Taupin and Elton John I Will Survive by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris | Home Festival:Kitchener-Waterloo |
Time:2:35 PM | Name:Tamara Finlay | Titles: When We Were Young by Adele Adkins, Tobias Jesso Jr. The Edge of Glory by Stefani Germanotta, Fernando Garibay, Paul Blair | Home Festival:Guelph |
Workshop will be held from approximately 3:10 pm to 4:30 pm.
Announcement of winners will happen at the end of the workshop.