The Icelandic Canadian - 01.10.2002, Blaðsíða 38

80
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 57 #2
Girl’s Soul," Her second, at age nine, called
"I Heard a Cry", a special dedication to a
family friend after attending the funeral.
She has continued writing music and lyrics
throughout the years.
Her biggest inspiration was when she
attended a concert in Victoria two years
ago, featuring Chantel Krevianzuk, and
most recently, Nelly Furtado, who has
become a friend and given encouragement
to Rachelle. At her latest concert in
Victoria, Nelly sent tickets for Rachelle
and guests. When Nelly spotted Rachelle in
the reception line after the concert, Nelly
smiled at her and sang two lines from one
of Rachelle’s own songs.
At age 6, Rachelle sang her first solo
for the United Way campaign jingle, and
did other commercials with her mother for
CFAX radio. Her first television perfor-
mance was at the age of 11 at the Royal
Theatre in Victoria, for Timmy’s Telethon.
We sat in the audience and watched as a
grand piano was wheeled out on stage.
Rachelle played one of her own composi-
tions, accompanied by a professional band
of seasoned studio musicians. She carried
through quite a lengthy composition with
quiet calm, without being fazed by the tele-
vision cameras, lights or the audience. After
leaving the stage she came up the aisle of
the Royal Theatre to meet us. I stood there
teary eyed, ready to give her a hug, and
before I could say anything, she asked
"When we get to your place Grandma, can
we make bread?" My nervousness was
unfounded. Rachelle was calm and com-
posed and looking forward to going home
with us for a visit.
Rachelle is a grade XI student at Oak
Bay High School where her main interests
at school are music, sports, and science -
(where she excels in engineering). Rachelle
plays trumpet in the Concert Band and
rows with the Varsity Team. Her interests
are many and varied. She has been in choirs
since grade two, taken piano lessons since
she was five years old, and also plays a
number of other instruments. Rachelle is a
dedicated member of the Gorge Varsity
Rowing team and takes part in many
Rowing Regattas each year. Regardless of
weather conditions the six girl team prac-
tices rowing five days a week—in 60 foot
shells. Rachelle enjoys the rigorous chal-
lenge of this sport where discipline and
teamwork is essential.
Throughout the years she has been
enrolled in a great number of extra courses
after school. Last summer she participated
in Courtenay Youth Music School and
Festival-CYMC for an intensive three-
week music camp of dancing, acting and
singing. She has also been a leader at
Church camps.
Rachelle has been fortunate to have
had full support of her parents, both pro-
fessional musicians—a positive environ-
ment for her to develop her talents. A very
special mentor for the past four years has
been George Essihos, a well known Jazz
pianist virtuoso, with a Classical music
background. He has encouraged Rachelle
to create her own style and challenges her
with dynamic keyboard techniques.
When trying to sum up what she is all