Rachael Rota

Homegrown in the heart of Philadelphia and fully immersed in a love of the arts from an early age, Rachael Rota knew that music was her path, reason and passion. Classically trained at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, from the age of 4 in piano, cello, voice, music theory and dance, the fundamentals of rhythm and music composition were nurtured early. Discipline and hard work were instilled by her father who constantly reminded “Stay with your music Rachael, it will always take you places”. Formal music training continued at the renowned Central High School where Rota participated in the CHS Orchestra, holding the position of Principal Cellist for 3 consecutive years. Mentored by Philadelphia's own Deborah Reeder, she also participated in other renowned ensembles such as The Philadelphia All City Orchestra, eventually embarking on a tour of Budapest, Hungary with the CHS Orchestra. Continuing to further develop her instrumental and vocal skills, it was during her time at Temple University that Rota frequently turned to her songwriting and began to share original works with others. A revelation occurred as she began to understand the influence held by those who can simply and provocatively arrange words and melody in a soul-moving way. A new world unfolded as all the rules and hours of practice that came with classical training merged with the poetry, experiences and emotions of a young woman who was discovering the world for the first time. Rota had opened the door to being a singer/songwriter. Fueled by modern influences such as Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, and the Roots, Rota’s music seeks to merge authentic beats with hypnotic blues vocals and mesmerizing string lines. Blessed with a soulful voice, energetic creativity and a natural beauty, Rota expresses “I want to weave together my love for jazz/blues/classical melodies and provocative lyrics to create a fresh and distinct sound”. Currently writing and recording her first solo project, expected to be released in June, 2015, Rota firmly stands on the radar as a progressively intriguing singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Singer/Songwriter/Cellist