Rachel was born into a long line of musicians. Her grandmother and great Aunt were classically trained singers who (according to family lore) were descended from royal court musicians in nineteenth century Vienna. Her father, a jazz loving, multi-woodwind player, and her mother, a folk inspired guitarist, would often bring Rachel to New York from their home on the Jersey Shore to see theater, concerts, and dance, sparking her musical imagination. When she was five and saw the original cast of “The Wiz” on Broadway, Rachel knew she was bound for the stage.

Family jam sessions further ignited her passion for performance, as did an eclectic musical diet that included Simon and Garfunkel, Chick Corea, Tchaikovsky and the cast recording of Pippin. Lots of Pippin. She was particularly inspired by the vocals of Karen Carpenter, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, and Edith Piaf. Eight years of piano and dance gave way to voice lessons, followed by summers spent at famed theater camp Stagedoor Manor. After a year of conservatory at Carnegie-Mellon University, she went on to earn her BA in English Literature with honors from Barnard College. 

Throughout her professional career, Rachel has had the great fortune to study with some of the most respected voice teachers and coaches in New York, including Bill Schuman (students include Lea Salonga and Nathan Lane), Phil Hall (Alice Ripley and Melissa Errico), and the late Laura Thomas (Barbara Cook and Angela Lansbury).

Rachel has been seen on Broadway in the Tony-nominated Lovemusik, written by Alfred Uhry and directed by Harold Prince. She has worked with celebrated composers and lyricists such as Stephen Sondheim, Cy Coleman, Sheldon Harnick, Alan Menken, Tim Rice, Paul Gordon, and William Bolcolm, and with renowned directors and choreographers Harold Prince, Pat Birch, Kathleen Marshall, and Rob Ashford.  Her notable roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, Hodel in the National Tour of Fiddler on The Roof (with Theodore Bikel), Mildred in Saturday Night at Second Stage, Nellie Collins in Floyd Collins at Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at American Musical Theatre of San Jose. 

Rachel 's original cast recordings include 3hree (DRG), Saturday Night (Nonesuch Records), Lovemusik (Ghostlight Records), and King David (Buena Vista Records). She is also featured on two albums by composer Steve Marzullo: Show Some Beauty, and Kiss Me While We Have the Chance (Yellow Sound Label). Her New York concert appearances include Casino Paradise with the American Songbook series at Lincoln Center, along with many performances at well known venues such as 54 Below, Birdland, The Laurie Beechman Theater, The Metropolitan Room, and The Duplex. 

She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, two daughters, and her labradoodle Sunny.