Teacher Feature: Rachel Stern
Voice, Piano, Musical Theater, Preschool Music & Leap ‘N Learn Dance Teacher at Austin Arts Academy in Austin, Texas.
Meet our Music & Dance Teacher: Rachel Stern
Rachel Stern has a way of captivating your attention, whether you are one of her students, or have come to know her as I have as a teacher at Austin Arts Academy.
During our Spring 2022 recitals, you may have caught a glimpse of this captivating energy in her performance of “Poor Wandering One” from the operetta, Pirates of Penzance, while Ms. Rebekah accompanied her on piano.
Rachel’s love of music began way before she became a voice, piano, musical theater, KiddyKeys preschool piano, Prodigies, Animal Adventures in Music, and certified Leap 'N Learn dance teacher for Austin Arts Academy.
Rachel Teaching Preschool Dance
As a child, Rachel wanted to be a pop star just like Miley Cyrus or Raven Simone. It was her high school teacher and first voice coach, Mrs. Best, who introduced her to the kind of music she really wanted to be singing.
After high school, Rachel went on to study under Dr. Robert Best (yes, Mrs. Best’s husband) at Baylor University in her hometown of Waco, Texas.
Dr. Best and Mrs. Best played an influential role in shaping Rachel’s path as they encouraged and motivated her when she needed it.
Rachel’s Junior recital with Mrs. Best and Dr. Best
Rachel graduated from Baylor with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and went on to receive a Master of Music degree in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance under the study of Professor John Nix at The University of Texas in San Antonio. Rachel attended Varna International Music Academy in Bulgaria during the summer of 2019, which continued her in-depth study and music training.
While at Baylor, Rachel had the opportunity to perform in many productions and scenes programs with Baylor Opera Theatre. At UTSA she had many performance opportunities as well, including her role as the female romantic lead, Mabel, in Pirates of Penzance.
Rachel performing as Mabel in Pirates of Penzance
And while she's had many opportunities to perform, if she could sing with anyone, it would be the classically trained American singer Barbara Bonney, one of the world's most accomplished lyric sopranos.
You might find Rachel listening to her as she commutes to and from lessons with her students at Austin Arts Academy, unless she is listening to music to prepare for class or other random music on her playlist.
Rachel is very connected to her family and church. Her first ever job was as a hymn leader at a church in college, and another one of her great mentors in life is Dr. Mabry, the music minister at her current church.
She also has a weekly ritual of calling her Grandfather, who is 102 years old, every Monday and chats with her parents and her sisters at least once a week.
Rachel and her family
Her family, education, and mentors inspire the way that Rachel teaches. And while she may be a classically trained musician, Rachel teaches students with a wide variety of genre interests.
As Rachel explains, she “has a particular passion for beginning students and firmly believes in creating a safe and encouraging environment that helps students thrive and enjoy music,” just like her early teachers did for her.
Rachel and her Mentors: (from left to right) Dr. Best, Mrs. Best, Rachel, Professor Nix, and Dr. Mabry
She believes that every student should have an enriching and fun experience while taking lessons at Austin Arts Academy, with the focus being on enjoyment.
Technique naturally follows when students are engaged in and enjoy their lessons. She often finds that she learns as much from her students as they learn from her.
Outside of Austin Arts Academy, Rachel also teaches the Vocal Strength Class for Power for Parkinson’s, a global community whose “mission is to provide free fitness, dance, and singing classes for people with Parkinson's Disease and their care partners in the Austin, Texas area and around the world” (https://www.powerforparkinsons.org/ourmission).
Her class is just one of the many great exercise classes that they provide for FREE to members of the Parkinson’s community. Check out a sample of her vocal strength class with Power For Parkinson’s here: Rachel Power for Parkinson's Vocal Strength YouTube
Rachel is excited to be feeling calm and more settled into life in Austin. When she’s not teaching lessons, you might find her at home watching YouTube with her shoes kicked off, after taking attendance for lessons and feeding her two dogs, Aurora and Peanut Brittle.
Rachel, Nathan and their two dogs, Aurora and Peanut Brittle
Rachel appreciates the various curriculum’s used at Austin Arts Academy, as there is no mystery as to what students are learning and doing in lessons, plus the MyMusicStaff platform for parents and students allows everyone to be in the know as to scheduling, billing and lesson notes.
Rachel currently teaches private lessons and group classes and we are so grateful to have Rachel on board as one of our teachers that helps change Music lessons from boring or rigid to fun and engaging!
Written by Melissa Wolken
Contributing Writer, Culture Curator, and Admin Team Member
At Austin Arts Academy, we change the way you learn Music, Art, & Dance from rigid or boring to fun and engaging-an experience students will love at any age.
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