Your musical journey begins here.
Testimonials
Private Voice Lessons
Rachel Olson currently is, or has been, teacher to my entire family, husband and myself included. We all found her exceptional for our individual needs since we have unique learning styles. She is able to adeptly adapt to each of us without our needing to explicitly say what we need, because we don’t know what we need to be better. She does. She seems to intuitively know how to explain ways to deepen our connection with our breath and how to use our body. I was with her for only four months, and I advanced far enough to be comfortable performing in a recital. We all wish we could have more time with her! Her communication style and openness are refreshing and compassionate. I believe that she is a phenomenal asset in the musical and art community of western Washington. I cannot recommend Rachel highly enough!
— Jenna (adult student, parent)
My daughter met Rachel as a Junior in high school. Rachel met her right where she was, as an already accomplished pianist. Rachel helped her build her voice skills and confidence to prepare for her college music journey. We are so grateful!
— Renee (parent)
I have been a student of Rachel Olson‘s for over a year and have learned more from her studio than all the rest of my vocal training. She demonstrates an impeccable ear and a wealth of musicianship in her ability to hear what each student needs to sing their best. Her dedication to proper singing fundamentals and the fine tuning of technique has transformed my abilities. In her studio, I’m finally finding my true voice. I would highly recommend her to singers who aspire to stand out from the crowd.
— Imani (adult student)
Mrs. Olson makes every mistake feel like a learning opportunity, making every lesson a chance to grow. In helping me learn songs for auditions and concerts, she also teaches me new singing skills that help me feel confident in my own voice.
— Cleo (teen student)
Rachel Olson is a skilled and generous teacher. My daughter’s confidence and vocal range have both expanded due to her voice lessons.
— Samantha (parent)
Ms. Rachel is an exceptionally talented teacher who has been dedicated and patient in helping my daughter develop her singing skills. Through a variety of creative techniques, she has not only enhanced my daughter’s vocal abilities but also significantly boosted her confidence. I am incredibly grateful for the progress my daughter has made under her guidance.
— Jerina (parent)
It has been nothing but a privilege to have worked with Rachel Olson as my voice teacher! Over the course of the two years she taught me, her passion for her craft shines through in her honest feedback and her excitement to work. She strives for excellence in everything she does, and I could not have improved as immensely as I did without her endless encouragement as well as her refreshing candor. Her style of teaching always gave me a space where I felt comfortable and vulnerable enough to work through vocal challenges and come out the other side feeling truly confident in the improvement of my abilities, proud of the progress I was making with her guidance. Beyond this, she truly cares for her students and cultivates meaningful relationships with those she teaches. She has been an impactful mentor to me, and her work and abilities will continue to impress me!
— Addison (teen student)
My teenager has been taking lessons with Rachel Olson for over three years. She has guiding him during this time to become a confident singer. Rachel has offered lessons full of patience, encouragement, sound technique and dedication to helping him grow as a performer.
— Jackie (parent)
After teaching Bella in middle school she has gone on in high school to get all of the leads and solos at choir. Bella has just continued from what she learned from Rachel after she moved from Chicago. My daughter says no one else does teach like you do!
— Mary (parent)
Rachel Olson’s cumulative knowledge surrounding vocal technique is perfect for anyone of any level who wants to further their vocal skills. She is a dedicated, insightful teacher who tailors her instruction to each student’s needs. I always felt comfortable and excited to work with her, covering musical and classical repertoire which always aligned with my goals. Pick Rachel if you want to learn from the best!
— Tom (teen student)
I have clocked thousands of hours in music classes and lessons for me and my children.
You know the talent show, The Voice? Every once in a while a contestant will start a song and they only get one or two notes out and BOOM! the coaches hit the button. That is what it was like when I first watched Rachel teach.
It is a rare thing to find a teacher that possesses all the qualities of talent, training, passion, adaptability and kindness to give her students. Rachel is a gift and we are lucky to have her in Maple Valley.
— Laura (parent and adult student)
I am a guitar player & student of music who has performed mostly blues, folk, and rock music for over 30 years. I also write songs. When I was younger, I was very afraid of the mic but eventually the lack of singers for the bands that I played in forced me to be the singer. I tried some lessons in Seattle a few times but didn’t feel engaged. A couple of years back, after some brutal self-analysis, I decided my singing was just downright awful. I tried a few lessons but stopped. One day, between action at a Valor soccer game, I shared with another parent that I played in a band and really felt I needed to elevate my singing, but I was frustrated with local instruction. It felt like a waste of time and money, and what working parent has time to go to Seattle for a lesson?! To my surprise, this chatty soccer mom had a name and a number for me, I presumed her kids went there. I thought “What do I have to lose?”
So, I called Rachel Olson. I did no research and had no expectations. Walked in cold and uninformed. It didn’t take long before I knew just how lucky I was to get a spot in her calendar! It took me several lessons with her before I understood the depth of her amazing resumé. As it turned out, there were lots of things I didn’t know that I didn’t know. I knew I needed to sound better but had no clue how. She immediately made me feel comfortable and I made rapid improvement. It took some time to develop new muscle memory and to stop doing all the things I was doing that were getting in my way from sounding good, but Rachel was on it while still being kind, generous, & patient.
I have gone from singing in limited keys with no confidence and limited tone control – thin and nasally (and sometimes off pitch), to singing in many keys, with confidence, tone control, articulation, breath control, and I like how I sound. She has also helped me with stage presence. For the first time my voice was the lead instrument rather than struggling along to keep up; that all by itself is huge! I could never have imagined singing in recitals with only a piano accompaniment. I’d have never guessed that a world class teacher would be right here in Maple Valley. To my surprise, that soccer mom also sang at my first recital, she is phenomenal! Even Tiger woods at his best had a coach. If Tiger sang, he’d want Rachel as his coach. Thank you, Rachel, for having such a huge impact on my life. I truly feel blessed to know you.
— Scott (adult student)
Rachel Olson was referred to us when my daughter was looking to improve her vocal skills and prepare for roles in theater productions. In only a short period of time her range and breath support drastically improved and her techniques to work through difficult sections was precise and intentional. Rachel was very thorough and professional with different aspects of her vocal training, covering areas we never expected to, but that were instrumental in improving performance, stamina, range, breath support, and projecting her voice. Her expertise and years of experience are clearly evident. She’s professional, fun to work with, invested in her students and offers noticeable improvement. I have referred many friends to her services and have only heard positive reviews!
— Stephanie (parent)
If you are thinking about signing up for voice lessons, don’t hesitate. Working with Rachel is 10/10 the best way to learn to sing and find your confidence! My daughter, Madeline, started working with Rachel in the Summer of 2024 for musical theater audition prep. Madeline came into this experience without any formal training. Since then Madeline has attended auditions for theater, had her first solo performance at the Fall showcase, competed in Thespian Regionals, and landed a role in Kentwood High School’s rendition of Legally Blonde the Musical! The best part of all these accomplishments is seeing Madeline feel confident. Rachel provides a safe, inclusive, reassuring, and fun environment to learn in. We have a little saying when Maddie is prepping for a performance, call back, or practicing, “What would Mrs. Rachel say to do here?” It’s silly, but it works! As my daughter says, “She’s my favorite!”
— Kathryn (parent)
Rachel has helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. She has helped me discover the true potential of my voice, and completely transformed my confidence as a performer. Her dedication to each and every student is incredible, and I’m so grateful for the care and encouragement she pours into her teaching. Rachel doesn’t just teach—she works magic!
— Sydney (teen student)
Matt on stage at Benaroya Hall 2024
When I was young I always said, “I wish I had a better singing voice. If I could, I’d love to take singing lessons.” I have finally been able to make that wish come true. Taking lessons with Rachel has been so fun. But, not just fun, my singing voice has changed and improved so much. She has taught me the science and proper use of my body to train and grown my voice range, volume, and sound. I’ve also learned about performing and ways to draw in the audience. I am a part of a band, with Rachel’s help, I have become more confident in my performances which has helped me have a lot more fun while sharing music with others. Rachel Olson Studios is where voices, performers and musicians learn, grow and become the best they can be.
— Shannon (adult student)
Rachel has been giving my daughter voice lessons for going on 3 years. She’s a fantastic guide and teacher and has helped my daughter find her confidence as a singer, both being selected for her school’s choir, as well as learning to sing publicly on her own. I’ve been incredibly impressed with Rachel as a teacher, and will continue to recommended her to anyone looking for vocal training.
— Dana (parent)
Having Rachel as a voice teacher has been a truly awesome experience! When I first started working with Rachel I hadn’t taken any sort of lesson for over ten years and felt very “out of shape” vocally. I had developed a number of habits that were getting in the way of being the singer and performer I dreamt of being. I had also had a number of previous performing experiences that left me feeling self conscious/overly critical of my singing and performing abilities - causing me to lose a lot of the “joy” for making and sharing music.
I have now been working with Rachel for about three years and the growth I have experienced is huge! The singing technique Rachel has taught and continues to teach me, allows me to be much more in control of my voice than I’ve ever been before. As a result of this, I feel like I am now freed up when I perform and able to focus less on things like “I hope I hit this note” and more on conveying the story/message of a certain piece of music with others. The technique I’ve been learning from Rachel, is also allowing me to be a much more confident and consistent singer. I no longer feel like I am hoping as much for a “good singing day” in order to make beautiful sounds - regardless of how my voice might be feeling on a given day, the fundamentals of singing that Rachel covers in every lesson, have enabled me to have much more success in singing my best, more often. I have also found that my range has expanded and as a result, I’ve started singing notes, songs, and performing roles I never thought I’d be able to - in a variety of different styles. This has been incredibly exciting for me!
Rachel’s listening ear is also amazing. I marvel almost every lesson at the things she is able to hear that I am doing or not doing that are either inhibiting me or helping me in achieving my goal of producing a beautiful and healthy sound. She is also equally skilled at articulating herself and helping me to be able to understand what I can do to improve. I have never felt negatively or harshly judged/criticized in our lessons. Rachel’s feedback is always constructive and I leave our lessons feeling much more capable and confident than I did before entering.
I would recommend Rachel as a voice teacher to any singer - she is the real deal! I am grateful for all she has taught me, which has helped me to rediscover my passion for singing and performing. Thanks, Rachel!
— Matthew (adult student)
As someone who has been taking voice lessons for about ten years, I can confidently say that my time with Rachel has resulted in the most growth for my voice. Past voice teachers were always lovely and got me performance ready, but Rachel is able to really assess singing errors and fix them at the root. This has helped me become such a better and healthier singer. She puts in the time and effort to strengthen the voice while using healthy techniques to preserve it. With her help, I was able to transition from singing mostly rock to singing opera, musical theater, and jazz. I have achieved a range I never thought was possible. She’s such a patient, intelligent, and hardworking teacher. Being her student is such a rewarding experience.
— Grace (adult student)
2024 Fall Recital
Group Voice Lessons
Rachel Olson has been a great influence on our family as my children have taken both vocal and piano lessons. She has a special way of nurturing a love for musical expression. She is willing to work with all levels and truly caters her teaching to the individual’s needs. I have seen my children gain so much confidence as they’ve found their voice and built friendships in group vocal classes. Their new found musical confidence has lead to other enriching experiences for them by performing in front of crowds and joining the school choir. I never ever thought my daughter had the guts to sing in front of lots of people until Miss Rachel encouraged her to sing at her vocal recital. Afterwards my daughter wished she had prepared another song and couldn’t wait for the next voice recital!
— Cheryl (parent of Combo Voice and Teen Voice)
Our family has found Rachel's expertise and dedication invaluable! She combines deep expertise with a commitment to ongoing professional development, allowing her to effectively address each student's unique needs, including innovative approaches to voice training. Our children have made impressive strides in both confidence and vocal skills under her guidance. Rachel truly understands the complexities of voice that sometimes extend beyond the notes on the page. We highly recommend her to any family seeking a compassionate and highly skilled instructor!
— Chondra (parent of Little Voice and Teen Voice)
Rachel Olson is truly an asset to the Maple Valley creative arts community. Our family was referred to her by our Let’s Play Music teacher for additional voice training. Our oldest daughter has always loved singing but wanted to perfect her passion. I was so surprised to learn that we had a grammy award winning singer living right here in Maple Valley!
Rachel has been invaluable to work with and it is amazing to see the progress our daughter makes every year with fine tuning her pitch, rhythm and performance capabilities. Our youngest daughter just began singing too and we have seen her performance anxiety decrease while learning singing skills. Rachel’s group classes make singing fun while getting to engage with friends interested in the same craft! She is a genuine partner in our children’s voice journey by providing beneficial feedback while also listening to our desires and inputs.
— Michelle (parent of Little Voice and Young Voice)
Rachel Olson Studio has been amazing. Rachel has an amazing ear and can help vocalists reach new depths and understanding. I also bought my husband vocal lessons as a Christmas gift and he has loved the instruction and training he has received. Rachel is pleasant, professional, and easily connects with her students.
— Tallie (parent of Young Voice, Duet Voice)
Piano Lessons
Piano has become a productive way for my two boys to put all their energy into improving themselves. They are often found playing the piano and learning new music. I feel piano has also helped my boys in their reading and school work as they’ve learned to read music, learned rhythm, song memory and theory. Our home has become a place where my children choose to enjoy playing and creating music!
— Cheryl (parent)
We’ve had an amazing experience with Rachel! Our kids absolutely love their singing/piano lessons and look forward to each session. Rachel is incredibly patient, encouraging, and skilled. She makes them feel welcome, comfortable, and promotes a positive fun learning environment while helping our kids develop their vocal technique and confidence. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented and passionate music teacher.
— Dana (parent of Piano, Young Voice, Duet Voice students)
We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Rachel Olson as a piano teacher for our son Sawyer, who is diagnosed with autism. From the very first lesson, Rachel demonstrated a rare combination of patience, understanding, and skill in working with him. She has a unique ability to connect with students, making each lesson both enjoyable and productive.
Rachel tailors her teaching approach to suit our son’s unique needs and strengths, fostering a learning environment that is both supportive and encouraging. This has helped Sawyer not only develop his musical abilities but also gain confidence in those abilities. He looks forward to his lessons and has grown both as a musician and as a person.
We wholeheartedly recommend Rachel Olson to any parent seeking a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated piano teacher. She has made a positive impact on our son’s life, and we are so grateful for her guidance and support.
— Suzanne (parent)
Outside the Box Lessons
I have known Rachel for many years and was a student of hers when we lived in Oak Park, Illinois. During that time, I marveled at how much I enjoyed our lessons and how she and her wealth of knowledge expanded my voice in ways I never imagined. Her vibrant, fun, encouraging personality made all the difference in my singing.
Now I have Parkinson’s. A common symptom is the loss of your voice. When one year of speech therapy proved unhelpful, I sought out Rachel.
Rachel’s willingness to really work through my issues actually often leaves me speechless 😂 because no one on my medical team works as hard to help me.
She simply shines as her expansive knowledge of the voice and muscles needed to talk and sing actually helps me to sing and talk so people can hear me again. When I want to give up, she works with me and my many Parkinson’s issues until I get a positive result and I am laughing so hard I want to cry. (That is amazing because Parkinson’s depletes your dopamine so laughing is now a rare occurrence).
Our lessons are one of the highlights of my week, seeing her joyful caring positive face. I can never repay what she is doing for me. Needless to say she is one of a kind, a priceless gem.
After 40 years or so of singing, I am so lucky to have found her and call her my friend.
— Maureen (adult student)
I have been a theatre educator for over thirty years. With all those years of teaching, I had found myself struggling with vocal issues. I had developed vocal nodules. I was frustrated that I was losing my voice often and that my vocal range for singing had become quite limited. Because of this, I felt like I was limiting myself as a teacher.
I was so lucky to work with Rachel who taught me about vocal placement, breath support and so much more. Her gentle guidance has helped me to open my range and has kept me hoarse free for many years.
I cannot thank Rachel enough for helping me find my voice again.
— Gigi (adult student)