Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm 29 years old and I've been married to Andrew for a little over a year now. I have a younger brother - also called Andrew - who I get along with very well and an adorable (but occasionally demonic) kitten called Cookie. I went to the Convent of the Sacred Heart School, where I distinctly remember singing to Ira Losco, who was playing the part of Cinderella in a Christmas school play and I was her friend - the singing mouse! I went to De La Salle College sixth form and the University of Malta to read for a Psychology degree and then did an MA in Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting in the UK. I adore animals, good comedies, anything Disney, chilli chocolate and travelling.
How old were you when you started getting interested in music?
I guess I was around four years old! I have old cassette tapes of myself singing along to 'Annie' and 'Oliver'. I would watch Disney cartoons and sing along to all the songs repeatedly, and beg my friends to sing and dance with me. I remember attending dancing lessons at that age too and I recall being very interested in the music that the ballet class pianist was playing. Then, I started piano lessons and began auditioning for local theatre companies at eight years old, and eventually started singing lessons at age 12.
Who are your influences?
I am and always will be highly influenced by All Angels - the classical quartet all-girls group I formed part of for a while. Other influences include singers Hayley Westenra, Sierra Boggess, Kristin Chenoweth, Lea Salonga and Sutton Foster.
What do your family and friends think of your chosen profession?
My parents have been the best mentors I could have ever possibly had - they never stopped believing in me or supporting me. I feel extremely fortunate to say that they, together with my close friends, have always been supportive and never once questioned my profession. Quite a few of my friends are also performers - singers, actors, dancers, musicians - so we all understand each other's ups and downs in the industry.
Tell us about your experience abroad.
I spent five years studying and working in the UK - first obtaining my musical theatre degree and then participating in musicals, concerts and films. Eventually, I was selected to be the fourth member of the platinum-disc, classical-crossover quartet All Angels. This was a dream come true for me because I was already a fan and happened to own the group's previous albums. Being a part of this group allowed me to perfect my craft and take it a step further, specialising in some lovely arrangements of compositions and working on some incredible harmonizing, as well as perform in venues I would have never even dreamed were a possibility.
What projects have you carry out in the past that you are most proud of?
Singing at the opening ceremony of the Champions League Finals 2011 at Wembley Stadium, performing as part of the All Angels quartet in the Young Voices Tour at such venues as the O2 Arena, Royal Albert Hall, Manchester Arena and other UK arenas, singing at the House of Commons, and performing alongside Katherine Jenkins, Lesley Garrett and Alexandra Burke.
What is in the pipeline for the immediate future?
Apart from the album launch concerts, I will also be performing in other solo concerts throughout the coming year. I will also be playing the role of Cathy in the Jason Robert Brown musical 'The Last Five Years' later on this year.
What has been your best achievement to date?
Does marrying my best friend count? To me that was the best moment of my entire life and nothing comes before it. However, on a professional level, I would say that being informed that I was the chosen girl to form part of All Angels and graduating from GSA conservatoire are probably up there with my greatest achievements.
What, in your opinion, can Malta offer to the international music industry?
In terms of talent, I think that Malta can give a lot to the international music industry. I think that more and more Maltese youngsters are seeking to work in this industry nowadays (whether they are singers, songwriters, sound engineers, music producers and so on), which means that there is more interest... hence more enthusiasm, networking, determination, promotion and acknowledgement. I think that Malta offers a huge variety of immensely talented individuals that can really make Malta proud and stand out - whether they are working locally or abroad.
Rachel recently signed up with the internationally-renowned Eclipse Artist Agency. Her solo album, entitled 'Forever Yours' will be held on the 8th August at Maria Rosa Wine Estate in Attard. The UK launch will be held on the 17th October at The Pheasantry in London