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Dr. Rachel Day

Email

Office

233 Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Bldg

Phone

660.562.1326

Joined Northwest in 2022


Assistant Professor

Chair, Department of Fine & Performing Arts


Education

  • D.M.A. Vocal Performance; Arizona State University, 2013
  • M.M. Vocal Performance; Arizona State University, 1997

  • M.M. Vocal Performance Pedagogy; Arizona State University, 1997

  • B.A. Music; Smith College, 1994

Courses Taught

  • Studio Voice (19-155 and 19-355)
  • American Popular Music (19-222)
  • Vocal Methods (19-255)

Academic Interests

  • Voice Science and Acoustics
  • Historical Voice Pedagogy
  • Acoustic Voice Pedagogy
  • Voice Production and the Brain
  • Motor Learning
  • Somatic learning
  • Body-mapping and its Effect on Vocalization
  • Psychoacoustics and the Singing Voice

Scholarly Activity

Written Scholarship

Presentations

  • Cynthia Vaughn, Matthew Hoch, Patricia Rooney, Rachel Velarde. (2022). Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA) Conference. Round table discussion "An Introduction to CoreSinging: The Work of Meribeth Dayme." July 16, 2022.
  • Cynthia Vaughn, Matthew Hoch, Elizabeth Blades, Rachel Velarde. (2022). National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Conference. Round table discussion "Remembering Meribeth Dayme (1938–2019): A Roundtable Discussion of Her Life, Legacy, and Contributions to Voice Pedagogy." July 1, 2022.
  • SNATS Summit Panel. (2022). NATS Cal-Western Region Conference (Virtual). "What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Teaching." Panelists: John Chen, Jennifer Erickson, Diane Sloane Kubeja, Rachel Velarde. Monica Williams-McCullough, moderator. January 15, 2022.
  • Rachel Velarde. (2021). Pan American Vocology Association. Virtually PAVA Symposium. 45-minute Workshop. Bones for Life®: A Gentle Somatic Intervention Workshop Experience. August 13, 2021.
  • Rachel Velarde, moderator. (2021). Pan American Vocology Association. PAVA Forum. Conversation with the authors of Singing Through Change, Nancy Bos, Cait Frazier-Neely, Joanne Bozeman. May 25, 2021.
  • Rachel Velarde and Luis Rodriguez-Morales. (2021). NATS Cal Western Region Conference and Student Auditions. Solo Recital. The Women Sing! Virtual via YouTube. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgCMk1CZ6aHDIP4i_IWOiEF7c4vdczDmO
  • Rachel Velarde. (2021). NATS Cal Western Region Conference and Student Auditions. Sourcing Vocal Repertoire Outside the Traditional Western Art Music Canon. Virtual via Zoom.
  • Rachel Velarde and VASTA/PAVA Members. (2018). VASTA/PAVA 2018 Joint Conference. Developing PAVA Student Chapters Brown Bag Lunch. Session Monitor. Seattle, WA. https://www.vasta.org/local/upload/file/VASTA%20Conference%20Schedule%205-13.pdf
  • Rachel Velarde, Hugo Vera, Monte Ralston. (2018). Master Class for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Arizona District Student Auditions/Conference: Crossing Genre Lines: The Well-Rounded Singer. Tucson, AZ.
  • Marci Rosenberg, Leda Scearce, Laura Wolford, Rachel Velarde, and Others. (2017). World Cafe Discussion: Interdisciplinary Voice Care in an Imperfect World. Pan-American Vocology Association (PAVA) 2017 Symposium. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Rachel Velarde. (2017). Video Pronunciation Guides for the Arizona Regional and All-State Honor Choir foreign language solo audition pieces (Four Italian and four German pieces). Arizona Choral Educators. Online video access.
  • Rachel Velarde. (2013). Voice Pedagogy at the End of the Twentieth Century: Revealing the Hidden Instrument. The Voice Foundation Voice Symposium. Philadelphia, PA

Student Group Advisement

  • American Choral Directors Association

Other Professional Experiences

Service to the Profession

  • National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), July 2, 2022, Volunteer
    • National Student Auditions (NSA) Semifinal Round adjudicator. MT 7- Upper Musical Theatre Treble Voice.
  • NATS, May 4-12, 2022. Volunteer
    • NSA Quarterfinal Round adjudicator. Quarterfinalists have advanced from the initial round of singers in the preliminary round. Most assignments are between 15 and 24 singers and will be sent on May 4th.
  • Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), 2019 – 2023. Leadership Role
    • Membership Director of the international organization of PAVA - 2-year term extended to 4-year term during board re-organization, at the request of then PAVA President, Aaron Johnson.
  • NATS, February-July 2022. Volunteer
    • Expanding the Art Song Canon, National NATS Workshop Project, Course Syllabus/Sequencing Working Group member. Jeffrey Williams, Katherine Jolly, Allan Armstrong, co-leaders. Stated goal: creating consistent course constructs, providing common syllabi, developing supplemental resources as needed, promoting implementation, developing systems to recognize the adoption of the new constructs, and engaging students and colleagues in a mutually supportive environment of discovery.
  • Grand Canyon University Student Chapter of NATS (GCU-SNATS: Professional Co-curricular Club), 2012 – Present. Leadership Role
    • Faculty sponsor for the GCU SNATS. Facilitated student conference attendance at national events (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020). Acted as site-host coordinator for the NATS Cal Western Region Student Auditions and Conference (January 2017), with over 300 student singers and their voice teachers attending at GCU. GCU SNATS members volunteered actively throughout the 3-day event.
  • PAVA, August 2021. Volunteer
    • Moderate three Workshop Zoom rooms for Virtually PAVA during the Symposium
    • Host breakout conversation room, “Rachel’s El Rodeo Cantina” throughout the Symposium.
  • NATS, 2019 – 2020. Leadership Role
    • 2020 Cal Western Region (CWR) —California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and Hawaii— Student Auditions chair. Coordinating the registration and scheduling of over 300 auditions in a single day, with finals auditions and awards ceremony on the second day. Site: University of California, Hayward. Concurrent with the Cal Western Region Conference.
  • PAVA, 2019. Leadership Role
    • Planning Committee Member for International Symposium in Santiago, Chile, October 2019.
    • The committee of 7-8 members from varied backgrounds and regions met once monthly for approximately one hour via video conference. The group read proposals for presentations and posters and served as the selection committee. Each committee member had specific duties such as planning for the symposium app, organizing publicity, or coordinating volunteers.
    • Symposium cancelled due to civil unrest in Chile.
  • NATS, May 1-16, 2019. Volunteer
    • NATS National Student Auditions Preliminary Round Adjudicator. Each audition category averaged between 20/40 entrants. Requirements: view YouTube video submissions for the prescribed time limit for each singer within the category, provide comments, and rank all singers.
  • Arizona Choral Directors Association (ACDA), 2019. Volunteer
    • All-State Honor Choir Alto solo judge.
  • ACDA, 2019. Volunteer
    • North Central Region Regional Honor Choir Alto solo judge.
  • CWR NATS, 2018 – 2019. Leadership Role
    • 2019 CWR Student Auditions co-chair. Coordinating the registration and scheduling of over 300 auditions in a single day, with finals auditions and awards ceremony on the second day. Site: University of Nevada-Reno. Concurrent with the Cal-West Conference.
  • NATS, 2018 – 2019. Volunteer
    • Advisor on the creation of a Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) in Voice rubric for the National Student Auditions.
  • GCU SNATS, 2018. Leadership Role
    • Facilitated student attendance at David Jones New York Masterclass (4 students, 1 adjunct faculty) and NYSTA Body Mapping Workshop with Dr. Jan Prokop (1 student) while in NYC for the Canyon Choral Society Carnegie Hall performance, April 2018.
  • NATS, May 1-16, 2018. Volunteer
    • NATS National Student Auditions Preliminary Round Adjudicator. Each audition category averaged between 20/40 entrants. Requirements: view YouTube video submissions for the prescribed time limit for each singer within the category, provide comments, and rank all singers.
  • CWR NATS 2017-2018. Volunteer
    • Assist the 2018 CWR NATS Student Auditions chair at San Diego State University. One-site auditions logistics troubleshooting, tabulation room and certificate assistance.
  • PAVA, January-October 2017. Leadership Role
    • Planning Committee Member for International Symposium in Toronto, Canada, October 2017. The committee of 7-8 members from varied backgrounds and regions met once monthly for approximately one hour via video conference. The group read proposals for presentations and posters and served as the selection committee. Each committee member had specific duties such as planning for the symposium app, organizing publicity, or coordinating volunteers.
  • NATS, 2014 – 2018. Leadership Role
    • Arizona District Governor; Worked to align the three chapters within Arizona with the new national guidelines for Student Auditions. Coordinated all student auditions within the district. Ensured compliance by the Arizona chapters with national guidelines.
  • NATS, May 2017. Volunteer
    • NATS National Student Auditions Preliminary Round Adjudicator. Each audition category averages between 20/40 entrants and adjudicators view the YouTube video submissions for the prescribed time limit for each singer within the category, provide comments, and rank all of the singers.
  • CWR NATS (Student Auditions Site Host), 2016 – 2017. Leadership Role
    • Site host (GCU) for the 2017 CWR NATS Student Auditions, bringing over 300 singers and teachers to campus for a three-day workshop and adjudication experience.
  • NATS, 2014 – 2015. Leadership Role
    • Valley of the Sun Chapter Nominating Committee Chair
  • CWR NATS, 2014 – 2015. Leadership Role
    • CWR Student Auditions Coordinator in Las Vegas, NV
  • Valley of the Sun Chapter of NATS (VSNATS), 2013 – 2014. Leadership Role
    • Arizona District Student Auditions Chair
  • VSNATS, 2013. Leadership Role
    • Acting Auditions Chair for Valley of the Sun Chapter Musical Theater Student (open to Arizona District members)
  • CWR NATS, 2013 – 2014. Leadership Role
    • NATSAA (NATS Artist Awards) Competition CWR Coordinator, Las Vegas, NV
  • VSNATS, 2013 – 2014. Volunteer
    • Nominating Committee Member
  • VSNATS, 2010 – 2013. Leadership Role
    • Chapter President
  • NATSAA Competition, April 2012. Volunteer
    • Assistant to the Judges, Arizona District Competition
  • VSNATS 2011 Leadership Role
    • Organizer of 40th Anniversary celebration “Year of Vocal Health”:
      • Karen Wicklund. Fall Workshop. “Teaching Singers with Voice Disorders.” September 2010. Scottsdale, AZ.
      • Robert T. Sataloff. Spring Workshop. “Care of the Voice.” March 2011. Tempe, AZ.
  • American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Arizona, 2008 – 2012. Leadership Role
    • Secretary/Treasurer of AGMA Arizona
  • Central-Northern Arizona NATS (NATS-CNAZ) 2006-2008. Leadership Role
    • Chapter Secretary

Continuing Education/Conference Attendance

  • Content and Cocktails: A Social Journal Club. Heidi Moss Erickson. Discussion of scientific journal articles and explanation of the paper’s essence and applications to singing and vocal pedagogy. 6 90-minute sessions-registered monthly, September 2022-April 2023. https://www.heidimosserickson.com/journal-club
  • Gender Affirming Speech and Singing: Training for Teachers and SLPs, The Voice Lab, Inc., Class 1: Intro to Trans Voice (8 hours) and Class 2: Singing Voice (8 hours). 16 total hours. March-May 2022. https://thevoicelabinc.com/speech/teacher-trainings/
  • 2022 Workshops with Robert Sussuma, GCFP. Fully registered and paid. Live via Zoom. 8 hours each, unless otherwise noted.
    • TEACH WITHOUT TEACHING V: Advanced Facilitation (22.5 hours) (March-May)
    • TEACH WITHOUT TEACHING VI: Working with the Whole Person (22.5 hours) (September-October)
    • THE VOICE INCORPORATED 2022-2: Sense and Sensuality: Exploring the Potent Connections Between Singing and Sex (Clothes on!) (June)
    • THE VOICE INCORPORATED 2022-3: Loud, Louder, Loudest: Finding New Ways to Enjoy Booming, Boisterous Singing with Ease and Freedom (October-November)
  • Content and Cocktails: A Social Journal Club. Heidi Moss Erickson. Discussion of scientific journal articles and explanation of the paper’s essence and applications to singing and vocal pedagogy. 6 90-minute sessions-registered monthly, November 2021-April 2022. https://www.heidimosserickson.com/journal-club
  •  La Celebración del Día Mundial de la Voz presentado en CDMX por The Voice Foundation Mexico City Chapter. Virtual. April 2022.
  •  Singing in the Brain. Heidi Moss Erickson. Live via Zoom. 4 hours each. https://www.heidimosserickson.com
    • Basics and Biohacking (registered). November 6-7, 2021.
    • Journey through the Singer’s Brain (registered). November 13-14, 2021.
  •  2021 Workshops with Robert Sussuma, GCFP. Live via Zoom. 8 hours each, unless otherwise noted. https://thesingingself.com/events/
    • TEACH WITHOUT TEACHING III: Experiencing and Understanding Body/Voice Connections form the Inside Out! (18 hours)
    • TEACH WITHOUT TEACHING IV: Experiential Functional Vocal Anatomy and Movement (20 hours)
    • THE VOICE INCORPORATED 2021-1: Breath and Tone, the Marvel of Transduction
    • THE VOICE INCORPORATED 2021-2: Parts Intertwined, a Twist in the Story
  •  “A Taste of Kinesensics,” Arthur Lessac Kinesensics Seminar with Nancy Krebs and Kittie Verdolini-Abbott. 16 hours. September 2021. Live via Zoom. https://visionsinvoice.com/register/lessac-kinesensics/
  • Pan-American Vocology Association (PAVA) “Virtually PAVA” Symposium. August 2021. Virtual.
  • Summer Vocology Institute (SVI) at the University of Utah, in conjunction with the National Center for Voice and Speech (NCVS). 9-credits. June-July 2021. NCVS Certified Vocologist certificate received. 
  • “Virtually PAVA” Symposium. PAVA. August 2020. Virtual.
  • Acoustic Vocal Pedagogy Course. Ian Howell, Kenneth Bozeman, Chadley Ballentyne, Bodo Maas, presenters. New England Conservatory. July/August 2020. Online. https://necmusic.edu/acoustic-vocal-pedagogy
  • Anatomy Trains Dissection Livestream with Tom Myers and Todd Garcia. Anatomy Trains. June 2020. Live via Zoom. (16 hours) https://www.anatomytrains.com/product/dissection-livestream-with-tom-myers-and-todd-garcia-2020-06-05/
  • Singing in the Brain. Heidi Moss Erickson. May 2020. Live via Zoom. (5 hours)
  • 2020 Workshops with Robert Sussuma, GCFP. Live via Zoom. 8 hours each, unless otherwise noted.
    • TEACH WITHOUT TEACHING: Understanding and Applying 7 Somatic Principles in the Voice Studio (18 hours)
    • TEACH WITHOUT TEACHING II: Facilitating Somatic Learning in the Voice Studio (22.5 hours)
    • MASTERING THE MIX: Finding and Expanding your Voice from its Infinite Middle
    • SLURP! Un-Complicating the Tongue for Free and Easy Speaking, Singing and Moving
    • THE LARYNX, A CROSSROADS
    • THE PLACES WE AVOID: Mastering the Common by Way of the Weird and Unusual
    • VOCAL VERSATILITY EXPANDED!: Deepening your Song-Learning and Practicing to access Authenticity and Spontaneity in Performance (9 hours)
    • WHAT THE NECK?!?: Re-Discovering the Head, Neck and Shoulders for better Singing and Speaking
  •  “Virtually PAVA” Symposium. PAVA. August 2018. Seattle, WA.
  • NATS Conferences. June 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020.
    • Facilitated GCU SNATS members’ attendance in Chicago—2016 (3), Las Vegas—2018 (7), and at the 2020 virtual conference (7).
  • Acoustic Vocal Pedagogy Course. Ian Howell, Kenneth Bozeman, Chadley Ballentyne, presenters. New England Conservatory. May 2018. Boston, MA.
  •  NYSTA Body Mapping Workshop with Dr. Jan Prokop. April 2018. New York, NY.
  • David Jones Masterclass. April 2018. New York, NY.
  • PAVA Symposium. October 2017. Toronto, ON, Canada.
  • NATS Winter Workshop: I Sing the Body Electric. 2017. San Diego, CA.
    •  Facilitated five GCU SNATS members’ attendance.
  • PAVA Symposium. October 2016. Scottsdale, AZ.
  • The Voice Foundation. “Voice Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice.” May 2012, and June 2013. Philadelphia, PA.
  • Classical Singer Convention. 2007, 2008, and 2009.
  • Vocal Performance and Teaching Workshop with Richard Miller. Northern Arizona University. June 8-14, 1997. Flagstaff, AZ.

Selected Recitals/Performances

  • Solo Recital
    • Songs from the Women of Pan America. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. January 19, 2022. Grand Canyon University. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgCMk1CZ6aHC6W6W_5YantFn4zjVwrK4l 
    • The Women Sing! Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. January 17, 2021. Cal Western NATS Conference. YouTube Concert. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgCMk1CZ6aHDIP4i_IWOiEF7c4vdczDmO 
    • Songs of From and of the East: Faculty Recital. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. Grand Canyon University. Phoenix, AZ. October 2, 2018. Concert. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgCMk1CZ6aHAMtFtSngGVWOwHBBJOAQev 
    • Songs of From and of the East: Faculty Recital. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Tempe, AZ. September 30, 2018. Concert. 
    • Composer Showcase at NATS National Conference, "If You Want Me Again" by Timothy Takach, composer. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Jocelyn Hagen, piano. Graphite Publishing. Las Vegas, NV. 2018. Concert. 
    • Stations of the Cross Concert. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Tempe, AZ. 2018. Concert. 
    • Songs of Faith: Faculty Recital at First Southern Baptist Church. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. Phoenix, AZ. October 5, 2017. Concert. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgCMk1CZ6aHCbheTC-WZgG4t1-8gN3Ly2 
    • Songs of Faith: Faculty Recital at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. Tempe, AZ. October 1, 2017. Concert. 
    • Faculty Recital at First Southern Baptist Church. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. Phoenix, AZ. September 22, 2016. Concert. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWXSverkD_ZXBhpMXzr3HhAimQJB4ELys 
    • Faculty Recital at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. Tempe, AZ. September 18, 2016. Concert. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWXSverkD_ZXBhpMXzr3HhAimQJB4ELys 
    • Faculty Recital at First Southern Baptist Church. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. Phoenix, AZ. September 3, 2015. Concert.  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgCMk1CZ6aHC6Q4-txRmBt3jKwTeIC0u_ 
    • Faculty Recital at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Luis Rodriguez Morales, piano. Tempe, AZ. August 30, 2015. Concert. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgCMk1CZ6aHC6Q4-txRmBt3jKwTeIC0u_ 
    • Italian Song Through the Ages: Solo Recital at Arizona State University Katzin Concert Hall. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Peipei Song, piano. Tempe, AZ. February 28, 2013. Concert. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgCMk1CZ6aHBcsvGh8tlyIk5oWtN-p80F 
    • Italian Song Through the Ages: Solo Recital at First Southern Baptist Church. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Peipei Song, piano. Phoenix, AZ. February 27, 2013. Concert. 
    • Schumann and Some Russians. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Peipei Song, piano. Arizona State University Katzin Concert Hall. Tempe, AZ. April 21, 2012. Concert. 
    • Schumann and Some Russians. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Peipei Song, piano. Grand Canyon University and First Southern Baptist Church of Phoenix. Phoenix, AZ. April 18, 2012. Concert. 
    • Singing in the 21st Century: Solo Recital at Arizona State University Katzin Concert Hall. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Kristen Whitworth, piano. Tempe, AZ. January 13, 2012. Concert. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6umq3uy5cf2o1so/AAC_sqRiXVdRvljaoVxV621Ya?dl=0 
    • Singing in the 21st Century: Solo Recital at First Southern Baptist Church. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Kristen Whitworth, piano. Phoenix, AZ. January 11, 2012. Concert. 
    • NATSAA Preparatory Recital. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Jeremy Peterman, piano. West Community Church. Phoenix, AZ. March 22, 2008. Concert. 
    • NATSAA Preparatory Recital. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano and Jeremy Peterman, piano. Trinity Cathedral of Phoenix. Phoenix, AZ. April 12, 2008. Concert. 
  • Soloist
    • Handel's Messiah. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Juan Hernandez, conductor; Canyon Choral Society; Canyon Symphony. Grand Canyon University. Phoenix, AZ. December 3, 5, and 7, 2021. Concert. 
    • National Anthem. Rachel Velarde, soloist. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) Phoenix Purple Stride. 2012-2021. Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ.
    • Handel's Messiah. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Juan Hernandez, conductor; Canyon Choral Society; Canyon Symphony. Grand Canyon University. Phoenix, AZ. November 27, 2018. Concert. 
    • Handel’s Messiah. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano; Vance George, conductor. Christ the Lord Lutheran Church. Carefree, AZ. December 14, 2016. Concert. 
    • Handel's Messiah. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Juan Hernandez, conductor; Canyon Choral Society; Canyon Symphony. Grand Canyon University. Phoenix, AZ. December 5, 2016. Concert. 
    • Bach's B minor Mass. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Juan Hernandez, conductor; Canyon Chorale; Canyon Symphony. Grand Canyon University and Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church. Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ. October 2016. Concert. 
    • Mozart’s Vesperae solemnes de Confessore, K. 339. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano; Paul Lee, conductor; St. Barnabus Choir and Orchestra. St. Barnabus on the Desert Episcopal Church. Scottsdale, AZ. April 8 and 10, 2016. Concert. 
    • Missa criolla by Ariel Ramirez and Cinco canciones negras by Xavier Montsalvatge. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist and mezzo-soprano; Paul Lee, conductor and piano; Combined choirs of St. Barnabus and CTL. St. Barnabus on the Desert Episcopal Church and Christ the Lord (CTL) Lutheran Church. Scottsdale and Carefree, AZ. February 9 and 13, 2016. Concert. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoNo4-d4wq63Sw6C725J8GvCT9PKnpx2X
    •  Handel’s Messiah Sing-A-Long. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano; John Sikora, conductor. Christ the Lord Lutheran Church and ProMusica Arizona. Carefree, AZ. December 13, 2014. Concert.
    •  Handel's Messiah at GCU Arena. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Canyon Choral Society; the Phoenix Symphony. GCU & Phoenix Symphony. Phoenix, AZ. December 7, 2012. Concert.
    •  Handel's Messiah. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Canyon Choral Society; the Phoenix Symphony. Grand Canyon University. Phoenix. December 3, 2011. Concert.
    •  Mozart’s Requiem. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; San Tan Chorale; San Tan Orchestra; Matthew Frable, conductor. San Tan Community Performing Arts. Mesa and Gold Canyon, AZ. April 17 and 18, 2010. Concert.
    •  Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Scottsdale Choral Artists; Jennaya Robison, conductor. Scottsdale Musical Arts. Paradise Valley, AZ. April 11, 2010. Concert.
    • Christmas Caroling and Opera Arias. Rachel Velarde, soloist. Private party with former Arizona Governors Janet Napolitano and Rose Mofford in attendance. Phoenix, AZ. December 2009. Concert.
    •  Life Unfinished. Rachel Velarde, Mozart Requiem alto soloist; Scottsdale Arts Orchestra; Scottsdale Choral Artists; Brett Robison, conductor. Scottsdale Musical Arts. Scottsdale, AZ. November 1, 2009. Concert.
    •  Handel's Messiah. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Gallion Community Chorus; John Sikora, conductor. Gallion, OH. December 7, 2008. Concert.
    •  Bach Christmas Oratorio. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Musica Nova Baroque Orchestra; Fine Arts String Orchestra; Musica Nova Chorus; Warren Cohen, music director. Musica Nova. Paradise Valley, AZ. December 16, 2007. Concert.
    •  Handel's Messiah. Rachel Velarde, alto soloist; Scottsdale Arts Orchestra; Scottsdale Choral Artists; Brett and Jennaya Robison, conductors. Scottsdale Musical Arts. Scottsdale, AZ. December 6, 2009. Concert.
    •  Season Finale. Rachel Velarde, mezzo-soprano; Jennifer Stumm, viola; Irving Fleming, music director; Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra. Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra. Scottsdale, AZ. June 9 and 10, 2008. Concert.
  • Opera
    • Turandot. Rachel Velarde, Lady in Waiting. Arizona Opera. Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. January 2011, March 1999. Opera.
    • Gianni Schicchi. Rachel Velarde, Zita; Vernon Hartman, conductor and stage director. The Professional Advantage. Urbania, Umbria, Italy. July 2008. Opera.
    • Suor Angelica. Rachel Velarde, Badessa; Vernon Hartman, conductor and stage director. The Professional Advantage. Urbania, Umbria, Italy. July 2008. Opera.
    • Il Tabarro. Rachel Velarde, Frugola; Vernon Hartman, conductor and stage director. The Professional Advantage. Piobbico, Umbria, Italy. July 2008. Opera.
    • Suor Angelica. Rachel Velarde, La Zia Principessa; Vernon Hartman, conductor and stage director. The Professional Advantage. Piobbico, Umbria, Italy. July 2008. Opera.
    • Sweeney Todd. Rachel Velarde, Second Lady/Chorus. Arizona Opera. Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. February 2004. Opera.
    • Postcard from Morocco. Rachel Velarde, Foreign Singer/Lady with a Hat Box; Vern Sutton, stage director; Kostis Protopappas, conductor. Opera in the Ozarks. Eureka Springs, AK. July 2003. Opera.
    • Hansel and Gretel. Rachel Velarde, Mother/Witch; Michael Dauphinais, coach/accompanist. Arizona Opera School Tour. Arizona. Fall 2002. Opera.
    • Dialogues des Carmélites. Rachel Velarde, Sr. Valentine/Une voix. Arizona Opera. Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. February 2002. Opera.
    • Gianni Schicchi. Rachel Velarde, Zita; Warren Cohen, conductor. Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra. Green Valley, AZ. June 2000. Opera.
    • La Cenerentola. Rachel Velarde, Tisbe; Michael Dauphinais, coach/accompanist. Arizona Opera School Tour. Arizona. Fall 1998. Opera.
    • Gianni Schicchi. Rachel Velarde, Zita. Arizona State University. Tempe, AZ. April 1998. Opera.
    • 40+ productions. Rachel Velarde, Chorus. Arizona Opera. Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. 1997-2012. Opera.