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In Northern California there is a girl with a passion and determination to pursue her dreams. She had her heart set on her dream career, music. Rachel, a seventeen year old girl desired to be famous and do what she loved to do. She grew up playing the piano and then moved on to the guitar, she had no idea that later in life it could be more than just a dream.
It started when my cousin Ryan would always play guitar around me and I fell in love with the sound, yes at five years old I fell in love with an instrument. We had beginner guitars and I started to teach myself with the help of Ryan. After a while, two years to be exact, I quit piano and stuck with the guitar. Music was and is still my life. Every day after any activity I was involved in I would play for hours. I spent countless hours practicing trying to improve my skills and I was devoted to being the best I could be. It wasn’t until I was 14 that I started to write songs. My parents always told me I was a good writer, so I gave it a shot. I never saw myself as a good writer or even a good musician. I never had the courage or even confidence to show anyone the songs I wrote. The day came when I finally had the confidence to show my best friend Acelyn the only song I was somewhat pleased with. She loved it and made me sing it for our youth pastor Tim and his wife Miriam. They loved it and I ended up singing it for my entire youth group then next night. I was incredibly nervous but they all loved it and started to ask me why I hid my talent. I had no answer to give them. My song “Start Over” became a youth group favorite and I was
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shocked. I had no idea that my friends would love it and encourage me to keep writing and playing guitar.
Along the way I had picked up several other instruments like the drums, saxophone, trumpet, synthesizer, cajon, bass, upright bass, trombone, acoustic and electric guitar, piano, and keyboard. The drums I would play in youth group. My aunt gave me a trumpet that I taught myself to play as well. Then when I went to Indiana my Grandpa gave me a trombone and within a week I knew how to play it pretty well. Even though I play these instruments I do have my favorites which are the drums, guitar, and piano. I gave up hanging out with friends to write and practice music all while maintaining decent grades. The best part about it was I didn’t mind if I didn’t hang out with my friends or go to parties I was doing what I loved to do.
When I was almost 16 I was researching recording studios in the area and came across one that wasn’t that far from where I lived. I told my parents and I begged them to let me record my music there. They finally agreed to let me tour the studio and we scheduled an appointment and moved on from there. The day came when I toured the studio and met the guy who would have a major impact on my life, Frank Imbesei, a master musician. He asked me to play and sing one of my songs and then to just play my guitar like I would at home and he was excited. He told me I was a musician that he doesn’t see very often and that I had what it takes to make it somewhere in the music field. He cut me a deal that he didn’t usually make people for $200
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and I took it. As I left the house I was excited and thrilled about the things he said about me!
When I got home I immediately started writing songs and thinking of new things to write about. I wanted my songs to be relatable. A year past before I had the money to pay for it but when I had enough I called him and scheduled the session.
When I got there we got right to work and I played my newest song “You’re Beautiful” and he loved it! I went through the 4 hour process of making my song sound the way I wanted it to and the beginning of my demo. I loved how it turned out and so did he and his wife! His wife said that she had never had to hold back the urge not to go in the studio and harmonize with me! She loved it and told me she could relate to it! I was ecstatic! This was a big step for me. Since then I have become the worship leader in my youth group and I am encouraged daily by them.
I can almost see it now. My name in lights, the people I love and my fans screaming my name, singing my songs, and going on tour. That sounds like paradise to me. If I ever go on tour I know I would bring my friends Galina, Kassie, Acelyn, Rikki, Abby, and katey. I wouldn’t be able to get by without them. They would help keep me in line so I don’t go crazy and all the fame goes to my head. They all have their own scenarios of how the tour would go and what they would be doing. Galina would be my makeup artist, Kassie my physical therapist, Acelyn and Rikki would be my biggest encouragers, Abby
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and Katey would be my number one fans. Abby also thinks I will be the opening act of a concert for my favorite band, Cimorelli. I love all of them to death. I would hope to one day tour with them and maybe do collaboration. They are one of the biggest inspirations to me and a big reason why I am pursuing my dreams. They encourage the fans to be who they are, never give up, and pursue your dreams. I’m so glad I came across their videos on YouTube.
I haven’t a clue what the future holds but I hope to one day have my dreams come true. I will always love music and I will never give up my dream of becoming a well-known musician. I’m ready for whatever challenge comes my way and I will be ready for whoever turns me down. I will just take it as a challenge to prove them wrong. I have written thirty-four songs and I love them all and I hope people will love and enjoy them.
My dream is finally starting to happen! I didn’t know what to think! I’m writing music that all my peers can relate to and they’re even putting it on their iPods and phones to listen to MY music! I’m so blessed to be able to make a demo to potentially sell to a record label! That just blows my mind!