Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel AO.
Hi Rachel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Southfield, Michigan was adopted, and raised in Midland, Michigan. My adopted mother is originally from Michigan and my adopted dad is originally from Ghana, West Africa. I was very fortunate to have parents who were involved in the arts, as well as encouraged me to pursue the arts. I started dance classes and performances at the age of four, piano lessons at the age of six, classical voice lessons in my early teens, and was involved in musical productions at the local church. I’ve always had a passion for writing poems, songs, and stories all throughout my life. As a teenager, I attended Interlochen music camp as well as Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. While at Blue Lake I auditioned for the Blue Lake International Choir, was selected, and toured Europe with the choir at thirteen years old.
I continued my musical journey into my college years, majoring in music and minoring in piano performance for my freshman year of college at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I transferred to Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota my sophomore year, continuing my music studies. While at Augsburg I auditioned to join a study abroad experience through the Contemporary Music Center located on Martha’s Vineyard. I was selected and it was through that experience I started to write songs, perform, and record my original works. In completion of that experience, I knew that I wanted to heavily pursue a career as a singer and songwriter.
I ended up stepping away temporarily from music to complete a two-year master’s degree in Education through Arizona State University. Upon graduating, I still felt a strong pull towards pursuing my dreams as a singer-songwriter. I relocated to Los Angeles California in July of 2021. Since then, I have recorded a three-song EP and will be releasing my debut single entitled “Perfect” February 4th, 2022. I continue to write songs and am forming a band in order to start performing in Los Angeles and eventually other cities in the US and hopefully abroad. I have big dreams and I am most grateful for the opportunities that have presented themselves to me thus far and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for my music journey and career.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Growing up in Midland, Michigan definitely had its ups and downs. There were not many people of color in the community, so I was subjected to many occurrences of racism and bullying at a young age. I can recall an incident when I was told by the children at school that they didn’t want to play with me because I was “dirty”. My mom then found me in the bathroom scrubbing my skin with a washcloth. I never felt safe in that community, so I found myself always on edge and never fully being able to express my true identity. I had people who would tell me that I wasn’t going to ever amount to anything, nor was I talented. I took that pain and put it into my writing. Writing is what saved me. It was an outlet that helped me to express my deepest vulnerabilities, fears, and pain.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a singer-songwriter and performer. I write songs that evolve from the pains of life as well as the joys. When I write I really strive to be as open and vulnerable about my experiences as possible not only lyrically but musically as well. My goal with my songs instrumentally is to take the listener on a journey. Dynamically you’ll hear high points and low points. I do this to evoke emotion within the listener, as well as paint a picture as to what my experience was. Storytelling through my music is something that I feel is my strong suite. What sets me apart and makes me different is my vocal tonality. I grew up with a variety of different musical influences which I have absorbed over the years and have all cultivated into the sound I have today. It’s difficult to put my music into a category or box. It is simply just me.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
A favorite childhood memory of mine was going to Ghana and meeting my family for the very first time. I met my grandmother which really meant a lot. She is such a lovely soul and she was just as thrilled to meet me as I was her. We also visited an orphanage while in Ghana. It was really touching to be able to spend time with the children there. My parents raised my brother and I as humanitarians. We would often as a family do mission work and give back to our community.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.rachelao.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelaomusic/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/rachelao
Image Credits
Anthony Nunez
Lorenzo Scott
