Rather than follow one of the more traditional career paths available to her, Rachel chose to do what most inspires her: create and perform all-original, piano-centric artistic pop/jazz songs. She has made a name for herself for being a unique artistic voice in today's music scene around the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Her website is www.rachelefron.com.

 

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’re up to today.

A: Since I graduated from Harvard University in 2001, I have been in the San Francisco Bay Area pursuing a career as a singer/songwriter/pianist.  I write original music for piano and voice, which I then collaborate to arrange for additional instrumentation, including bass, drums, guitar, horns and strings  My music tends to be on the poetic side. I borrow from many different genres, such as pop, jazz and classical in an effort to create exciting rhythms, melodies and harmonies.

 

I have also worked peripherally in music as a music educator, teaching private piano lessons; and as a composer, writing original instrumental music for a dance company.

 

Q: What have you accomplished or what are you proud to be currently working on?

A: I recently recorded my second album, called "4AM," produced by Jon Evans, the bassist for Tori Amos, and featuring my trio (me on piano and vocals, Jon Arkin on drums, and Dan Feiszli on bass) plus lap steel guitar, horns and strings. I released it in 2009 and completed East Coast and West Coast tours in Portland ME, Cambridge MA, Tiverton RI, NYC, Philadelphia PA, Ashland OR, Portland OR, Seattle WA, Eugene OR, Dunsmuir CA, culminating in two shows at Bay Area premier venue, Yoshi's.  

 

In the past six months I have started working on material for a next album. It is similar to the songs on my other albums in that I remain dedicated to lyrical depth and engaging melody, but I believe my style has evolved to be a bit bolder and more direct.  I'm especially excited about the gospel-infused "Beautiful Day," the playful and ironic tango, "Before We Start to Fall in Love," and the sort of heart-wrenching anthem, "The Love You Gave Me."  I hope to record later this year.  

 

Q: How has AMIGOS affected your life? Did it help you get to where you are today?

A:  AMIGOS absolutely affected my life. I would say in three main ways. Foremost it taught me about challenging myself. Spending the summer in Honduras as a sixteen-year-old was by far the most challenging thing I had ever done in my life. I learned that by following my inspiration to do something that was truly scary to me, the result could be self-growth, deepened inner-strength, and greater possibilities for what life comprises.

 

Second, it taught me about leadership. Especially as a Field Supervisor in Costa Rica, I learned the importance, in a leadership role, of taking care of both myself and everyone who depends on me. This helps me immeasurably as a band-leader, as well as just a person navigating the multitude of social scenarios in the music business.  

 

Finally, it taught me about the depth of my dedication to service. Perhaps it's strange to say, because songwriting is worlds away from water sanitation, but there is a way that as an artist, I am dedicating myself to my community - to the musicians I play with, to my audience, and more obviously to my students.  I have found that a same tenant of service applies - that it is about making honest connections, both inwards and outwards.