About Me

Rachel Ellis

MEZZO-SOPRANO

MUSIC IS MY PASSION

Currently, I perform at a French café in Long Beach and the Seal Beach Pier in California. Besides singing, I play piano and guitar (folk and classical). Since I speak French, Spanish, and a little Italian, I enjoy singing in these languages. Other songs I enjoy performing are “Country Roads” and “Eleanor Rigby” while playing guitar.

Pleasing an audience by singing songs from musicals such as “Westside Story,” “Brigadoon” and “The Sound of Music,” as well as singing standards such as “My Funny Valentine,” “Autumn Leaves” (“Les Feuilles Mortes”) and It’s Impossible (“Somos Novios”), are wonderful and unique experiences.

Singing at the Seal Beach pier is special. Because I love the ocean, knowing it is only a few feet away, while I sing, is very inspirational.

I have written a few new songs: Cindy’s Morning Coffee, Silence Can Be the Best Music, Opportunity’s Here and Take a Risk. My rendition of the Star Spangled Banner a cappello is available on itunes with songs from my two CDs, “Les Plus Belles Chansons,” and “Evocative Moments.”

“Les Plus Belles Chansons” has many French songs, as well as “Sabor A Mi,” “Con Te Partiro” and a couple of songs in English. “Evocative Moments” has songs such as Cole Porter’s “So In Love,” “Every Time We Say Goodbye” and other beautiful songs.

VOICE • PIANO • GUITAR

Broadway/American songbook

Jazz/Blues

Songs in French, Spanish, and Italian

Country/Folk

Original songs

Karaoke

Classical

Opera

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” – Aldous Huxley

PERFORMANCES

During the five times singing at Walt Disney Hall with various choral groups, we performed classical pieces such as “Carmina Burana,” “Beethoven’s 9th,” and “the Torreador Song” from Carmen.

In March 2011, singing Brahm’s Requiem with Los Cancioneros, was an “almost spiritual” experience. Besides singing with large choral groups, I enjoy singing classical solo pieces such as “O Cessate di Piagarmi” and “Seben Crudele.”

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” – Plato

A WORLD OF MUSIC

Because of my strong love of music and foreign languages, I have been fortunate to have traveled to other countries. In a true sense, “music and Paris” are “my addiction.”  Besides traveling in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, I have traveled throughout Europe, Iceland, Greenland, South America and parts of Asia. I love photography and have contributed photos from my many travels to Cardamom Magazine

The universe becomes smaller each day with “the internet,” where I can share my music with the world.  I have been very blessed and one of my greatest blessings is good health. However, if I had only one wish that would come true, it would be for world peace.

MY LIFE BEYOND MUSIC

One of my favorite sayings (by an anonymous writer) is “Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make them come true.”  When I am not playing piano, guitar or singing, I primarily work as a criminal defense attorney.

Although I have an M.B.A./J.D., and I have handled some civil work, I try to help clients in the criminal law area.  It can be challenging, but also rewarding, settling cases whenever possible.