New: Online Voice Instruction
Online lessons
Rachel Cetel is pleased to now offer online voice lessons. Please inquire below.
About
Rachel's Story
The Rachel Cetel Voice Studio, LLC
Rachel Cetel has quickly gained recognition in the Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia areas for being a gifted and dedicated teacher and performer.
Rachel Cetel is a multifaceted voice teacher with a wide range of experience and accomplishments. She has taught students of all ages and skill levels in South Jersey and Central Jersey for 20 years. She currently teaches voice lessons in Cherry Hill.
Rachel's students note that her voice lessons are always customized to meet their individual needs and goals. Through one-on-one sessions, this classically trained soprano encourages the development of her students, improves and refines their strengths, and allows them to reach their highest vocal potential.
Rachel’s students regularly earn leading roles in opera companies, community theater and high school productions. Students have been accepted into major colleges, universities and graduate schools. Students have also placed in NATS festivals.
A graduate of Boston University (B.M.) and the prestigious Westminster Choir College (M.M.), Rachel maintains an active schedule as a performer and recitalist.
" She forms lasting relationships with each student: it’s her superpower. Rachel has an uncanny ability to identify what a student needs in order to grow.."- Caitlin, Hainesport, NJ
Sharing Her Passion
CREDENTIALS and ORGANIZATIONS
Rachel has taught voice privately for over 20 years in South Jersey.
MM- Westminster Choir College of Rider University , 2007, With Distinction, Voice Performance and Pedagogy (teaching)
BM- Boston University, 2004, magna cum laude, Voice Performance
Continuing Ed: Shenandoah University CCM Voice Pedagogy Institute, 2020, COVID-19 scholarship recipient
A long standing member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), she attended the organization's biennial National Conferences in July 2010-2014.
She is an executive board member of the NJ NATS and a member of The Greater Philadelphia chapter(s).
A South Jersey native, Rachel graduated from Cherry Hill High School East with high honors, having been extremely active in the theatre and music departments. In 2000, she won the honor of Cherry Hill Area’s Junior Miss and participated in its state-wide scholarship program.
Rachel resides in Cherry Hill where she teaches privately in her Independent Voice Studio and online.
Rachel is also an adjunct music faculty member at Rowan College of South Jersey- Cumberland campus- applied voice and music appreciation and a senior adjunct faculty member at Rowan College at Burlington County- applied voice and music appreciation.
THE PERFORMER- Rachel Cetel, Soprano
Recently, Rachel sang Suor Genovieffa in Suor Angelica with Opera Fresca, Soloist in Vivaldi's Gloria in D, High Priestess in Aida, Alisa in Lucia di Lamermoor, Sally in Die Fledermaus and Flora in La Traviata with Boheme Opera New Jersey.
Other companies she performs with include Gemini Voices Co, Olde Towne Carolers, Wilmington Concert Opera, Delaware Valley Opera Company, and a voice/piano trio she founded with Cecelia Tepping and Sandra Pucciatti, Two Sopranos and a Piano
Voice Lessons
Why Study Voice?
Rachel offers a unique vocal method which caters to students' individual needs and goals. She welcomes students of all ages and musical abilities. Students may partake in lessons both vocationally and/or as a means to a current or future career in the arts.
Rachel's voice lessons are a Thumbtack Reviewed and trusted Professional Service, proudly featured as BEST of 2016 and 2015!
www.thumbtack.com/nj/marlton/voice-lessons/voice
Where Do Lessons Take Place?
Rachel teaches in her home studio in Cherry Hill, NJ and/or online through Zoom or FaceTime.
Fees vary by length of lesson. Lesson options include:
--30 minute
--45 minute
--60 minute
Lessons can be scheduled:
weekly
bi-weekly
"as-needed"
Please feel free to email Rachel through the Contact me button below for rate and availability questions.
What Takes Place During a Lesson?
An emphasis is placed on vocal health and the building of a proper vocal technique in all genres. In addition, students learn a variety of fun, yet appropriate songs that help strengthen the technique.
Students are also coached for auditions, roles in theatrical productions and scene study, and musical ensembles.
Students gain, most importantly, creativity, increased musical agility and confidence though vocal lessons.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF STUDENTS.....ARE MANY!
Students have gone on to earn acceptance and/or scholarship to major colleges and universities and graduate schools in the industry.
Drexel University Masters of Music Therapy and Counseling, Rowan University Music Education, Temple University Music Therapy, Princeton University, Lehigh University, Montclair University Voice Performance, Rider University Arts & Business, Rutgers University Music Education, Rutgers University Voice Performance, Ithaca College voice performance and music education, Westminster Choir College music education, Casting at Disney World, Delaware Valley Opera Company, Boheme Opera NJ, Players Club of Swarthmore, Broadway Theater- Pitman, Voorhees Theater Company, Ritz Theater Oaklyn, Haddonfield Plays & Players, Triple Threat Workshop, Mainstage Center for the Arts, Diablo Sandwich band, NJ All-State Chorus, NJ All-State Women's Ensemble, NJ All-State Jazz Choir, NJ ACDA All-South Jersey chorus, Philadelphia Girls' Choir, Philadelphia Singers' High School Mentor Program, Princeton Girl Choir, Philadelphia Girl Choir, Greater South Jersey Chorus, and select other professional avocational, college/graduate, high school, middle school ensembles.
In addition, students have won awards in NATS festivals of singing for NJ NATS, Greater Philadelphia NATS, and Hal Leonard.
photo credit: Ed Kedzierski Sr. 2017
TESTIMONIALS
What former and current students have to say...
Patricia, Burlington Township, NJ 5/10/22
My daughter Nikki started lessons with Rachel Cetel in her freshman year of high school. Nikki’s voice was good to start, but the improvement she has shown, with Rachel’s guidance, is beyond what I could have expected. She helped Nikki with all of her choral and theater auditions, as well as her theater parts throughout the years, but she was absolutely essential in helping Nikki get accepted into several college music schools. Her knowledge of the audition process, song selection and dynamics really made the difference in Nikki’s success at her college auditions.
Nikki will be attending Ithaca College which has a stellar music department. She was able to shadow at the school before accepting and had the privilege of getting a music lesson from one of the professors. The professor stated that she could tell Nikki had good training and she was pleased that Nikki would not have to unlearn any bad habits, but instead could hit the ground running when she begins school there. This is a testament to Rachel’s teaching skills. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve their vocal talent.
Melissa Philadelphia, PA
I started taking lessons with Rachel about 2 and a half years ago and she has helped me transform greatly in this time. I found her shortly after I graduated from college. From the very first lesson, I knew this would be a great match. I was amazed with how her methods for shaping my vocal techniques felt like they were specifically tailored for my voice. Not only has she helped me improve my voice, but she also has been an incredible mentor in helping me on my career path. She has coached me through several audition processes, all of which have been successful, including the Greater South Jersey Chorus and Chamber Singers, and Boheme Opera NJ’s production of Carmen, in which we performed together. We also spent several months preparing for my audition to get into Drexel University’s Master in Music Therapy and Counseling program, to which I was accepted and offered a vocal performance scholarship for the University Chorus and Chamber Singers. Rachel has not only helped me increase my skill and technique, but she has also helped me gain the confidence necessary to obtain these accomplishments.
Caitlin Hainesport, NJ
When I first came to Rachel in the fall of 2012, I was a fledgling in every sense of the word. I was twelve years old, incredibly introverted, really shy, and probably shaking in my Ugg boots (they were very chic in 2012, okay?) when I met Rachel for my first voice lesson. I don’t remember the details of that first lesson, but I remember the feeling: I remember coming in, pretty shy. I remember feeling especially small when I first came into the house - I wasn’t much for singing in front of strangers back then. But what I do remember is that by the end of the lesson, I felt warm. Safe. Capable. That last one was a big deal for a girl of thirteen lacking in self confidence. Voice lessons became my haven, my weekly escape. In the midst of learning vocal technique, new pieces, and Italian pronunciations, I built up not only my repertoire, but my confidence. Rachel was a huge part of my life for so many years. She watched me grow up, and she gave me the tools to be comfortable within myself. She was my voice teacher, yes, but more importantly, she was my mentor, therapist, and my friend. Rachel is an incredible teacher and an even better person. She forms lasting relationships with each student: it’s her superpower. Rachel has an uncanny ability to identify what a student needs in order to grow and then nurture [them] accordingly.
In terms of more music-related achievements, under Rachel’s tutelage I was able to correct poor singing habits I had learned in error under my previous voice teacher; this led to healthier and easier singing. I also was able to move up levels in my outside choir, Princeton Girlchoir. The skills Rachel taught me in our lessons made it easier to progress in choir. They helped me sight read faster and more accurately and sing in different languages with greater ease. Additionally, with Rachel’s help, I was able to audition for and place into All South Jersey Chorus and compete in a local singing festival - two things I would never have been able to do on my own.
Now, I attend Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, where I am part of the University Choir. This year, we will be singing in Lincoln Center and going on tour in Austria and Hungary, and I can honestly say without the musicianship skills and belief in myself I learned from Rachel, I would have never had these opportunities. In short, I am so very glad my mom brought me to take my first lesson with Rachel, that fall day six years ago because of the enormous impact she’s had on me as a musician and as a person, and I couldn’t thank or recommend her enough.
Barbara Cherry Hill, NJ
My daughter Valerie took lessons from Rachel for four years throughout high school. Valerie wanted to deepen her vocal skills both in her school’s choral groups and in the school musicals. Rachel determined that Valerie’s voice was best suited to classical pieces, and focused her efforts there. The range and depth Rachel was able to help Valerie develop were amazing. Rachel kept lessons fun while maintaining high expectations. By the spring of her sophomore year, Valerie followed Rachel’s suggestion to audition for the mentor program with the Philadelphia Singers. Much to her delight, she earned a spot with this prestigious group. She sang Daphnis and Chloe with the Philadelphia Singers and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra for Maestro Charles Dutoit’s final performances as symphony conductor at both the Kimmel Center and at Carnegie Hall in New York. It was truly the experience of a lifetime for her! Valerie went on to earn a spot as a student director for her high school’s Chamber Singers a capella group and sang featured vocal parts in her school’s productions of The Wedding Singer, Grease and In the Heights. With Rachel’s help, she put together a video portfolio of her singing to include in her college applications.Valerie is now a freshman at Princeton University and happily was chosen to be a member of the Princeton Glee Club under the direction of Gabriel Crouch. The group will be going on tour in 2016 in South Africa. Valerie counts singing as one of her great joys. We credit Rachel with guiding her and encouraging her to stretch herself beyond where she thought she could go vocally. We cannot recommend Rachel highly enough!
Francesca Westmont, NJ
Rachel Cetel was my first voice teacher. I started working with her when I was 9-years-old and it definitely changed the course of my life. She always made me feel very comfortable with my own singing, which was extremely important to me as a shy kid. Her classical training was ideal for teaching correct breathing technique and singing in a way that is healthy for the vocal chords. Learning the basics of classical singing is the best way to train because it allows you to then pursue whatever genre you want with excellent technique and health. I worked with Rachel for six years and she had a huge impact on my life. I am currently attending New York University for theatre and still pursuing a career in singing.
Taylor Westmont, NJ
Working with Rachel helped me develop my voice, understand how to work with it, and gave me the confidence to perform. She helped me prepare for school and extracurricular choral performances and leading roles in high school shows as well as auditions for choirs and musicals.
Through lessons with Rachel each week, I was able to really come into my voice. She instructed me on how to control and focus my sound and how to use my voice to achieve effects. We worked on choral pieces, but also did significant work on songs from musicals. In that work, Rachel instructed me on how to emote through a song and concentrated on the pieces' acting components.
Overall, I found that working with Rachel was a tremendously rewarding process that not only strengthened my voice, but introduced me to a tremendous friend and musical mentor.
Kristin Princeton, NJ
My daughter, Lindsay, has been a voice student of Rachel's for about 2 years. During this time we have witnessed a great deal of development in Lindsay, including broader range, better control over pitch and breathing, and above all, increased confidence in being able to perform. Rachel inspires her students by providing regular coaching and positive feedback throughout the lessons, and by tailoring the lessons to match the interests and development of the students (working on progressively challenging materials, accordingly). I have recommended Rachel to other students as we have been very happy with her instruction.
Vicki Mount Laurel, NJ
Lessons with Rachel Cetel prepared my for my future and helped me reach many smaller goals. Without her help I would have remained a small, quiet voice with no self-confidence. It was because of her understanding, passion and love of teaching that I am where I am today.
I started studying with Rachel during my junior year of high school and ended when I moved on to college. With Rachel’s singing expertise I was able to make it into the All-South Jersey High Chorus, get a small lead in my high school production of Fiddler on the Roof and was selected to represent Lenape High School at the 2010 Burlington County Teen Arts Festival. These opportunities gave me the support and challenge I desired but could not pursue before I began lessons. Through my weekly lessons with Rachel, I learned how to breath, support, shape vowels and add musical expression. My lessons with Rachel gave me chances I did not have on my own and I am grateful for all of the training she provided.
Her lessons also helped me solidify what I wanted to do with my future. With only a little more than one year of vocal training, I was off for vocal music education auditions at Kutztown University and Rowan University. I made it into both and have been going to Rowan for almost two years now. Rachel not only helped me achieve all of these things, but also did so in a fun, healthy and interesting way. I sang all kinds of repertoire including English, Italian, German, French, and musical theatre. Her strong, yet varied singing abilities and cheerful personality make her a wonderful teacher.
I am a big advocator for Rachel Cetel and recommend her to any student. People who want to pursue music as a career or just want to take lessons for fun will improve and enjoy their time with her. Rachel is a wonderful teacher and I could not think of anyone better to have taken lessons from.
Praise for the teacher's performances
Lucia di Lamermoor, Boheme Opera New Jersey 2017
"Soprano Rachel Cetel provided a vocally sound companion to Lucia in the character of Alisa, matching Ms. Pundt well in the 'Fountain' scene duets."- Town Topics
Die Fledermaus, Boheme Opera New Jersey 2015
"Soprano Rachel Cetel as Sally completed the cast with a lovely performance as Adele's partner in deception."- Out in Jersey
La Traviata, Boheme Opera New Jersey 2014
"There were in fact, no peformers who were less than excellent. Rachel Cetel as Flora...(et. al.) each did outstanding work as singers and actors."- Out in Jersey
photo credit: Ed Kedzierski, Sr., 2017
Wedding Ceremony and Special Event Music
Are you or a loved one planning your special day or a special event?
Rachel Cetel is pleased to now offer Wedding Ceremony and Special Event music!
Add an elegant touch to your event
I work with the client to select the perfect musical selections for their ceremony or special event: wedding ceremonies, birthday parties, retirement luncheons, Sweet 16, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and more! Whether it's sacred, classical, Broadway, religious, or jazzy, I will help you and your loved ones celebrate the joy of marriage and/or any other special event! To me, there is no better way to celebrate love and joy than to sing about it!
Testimonials
Sally said...
Such amazing talent!
Rachel brought to life the The Phantom of the Opera at my daughter’s birthday with her vocals. Thanks so much; it was more than what I expected.
Phantom of the Opera themed birthday party date: 6/1/18
Julie said...
Rachel has a gorgeous voice and sang beautifully for my family and guests at my wedding. She worked with me to find the best song for the ceremony. It was a beautiful addition and a highlight of the day. I know my guests enjoyed this as well. I would recommend Rachel for other events or for lessons.
Wedding date 8/10/13
Ashley said...
Rachel has a gorgeous voice, and she elevated the beauty of our ceremony. We provided her with our song choices ahead of time, and she worked with our band to make sure it sounded perfect on our wedding day. She was wonderful to work with, and we would highly recommend her to anyone looking to add a special extra to their ceremony!
Wedding date 5/30/10
photo credit: Brooke Novack, 2010
TWO SOPRANOS AND A PIANO
Who we are...
WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS IN 2022!
Last appearance...
Rachel Cetel, soprano
Cecelia Tepping, soprano
Sandra Milstein Pucciatti, piano
Last appearance...
WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS IN 2022!
Last appearance...
SONGS I'LL NEVER SING/ ROLES I'LL NEVER PLAY, a miscast cabaret
Saturday, September 22, 2018 at the historic 1867 Sanctuary in Ewing NJ and Sunday March 3, 2019 at Croft Farm Center for the Arts in Cherry Hill, NJ
WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS IN 2022!
WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS IN 2022!
WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS IN 2022!
Up next: Two Sopranos and a Piano's Salute to Sondheim, Date TBD
WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS IN 2022!
