with
Voice
A leading authority on voice, both in the singing and speaking fields. Let Raquela help you discover confidence by finding your hidden notes and tones with effortless strength!
Making Singers Since 1999
Raquela
Home of ElkGroveSings.com
About Raquela
The First Note
Raquela is your all-round singer-songwriter, vocalist and performer. Raquela teaches from her humble small home in Elk Grove, CA. She grew up in South Sacramento where she started singing solos in church choirs, playing guitar and songwriting since the age of nine. She studied opera (at Biola University) for 3 years then receive her BFA in music and theater from California State University of Irvine (Southern California). She later moved on to New York City where she played leading roles on Broadway for 18 years. Before that, she performed in Japan, Brazil and all over parts of the Caribbean and South America. She also sung and performed at Universal Studios Florida and Disney World. Her extended biography consists of being a five-time billboard dance music charter, a voting member of the Grammy's, a former Miss Orange County (Miss California/America organization) and a 12 times "best actress" off Broadway/regional/stock (NYC) including being a recognized Obie award nominated artist for writing the "best electronica musical." She is a member of AEA, ASCAP, VASTA and NARAS.
The Future Sounds Good
Established in 2003.
Raquela began teaching voice privately in 2000. In 2003, she started opening her doors on a regular basis in New York City. After 9/11, she found it to be more beneficial to her community to help launch several children theater arts schools. In 2000, Raquela was approached by a single mother of two whose frustrations with being completely tone deaf was defeating her dreams. After working with Raquela for 6 months, she went on to being nominated Best One Woman Cabaret by the MAC awards! Her name was Benita Charles and she continues to release successful recordings today. Raquela is proud to be back home in Elk Grove, California hoping to give back to the very community that taught her integrity, ethics and most importantly, music.
Raquela is a recipient of Expertise's 2017 Best Voice Teacher's in Sacramento.
Teaching In Harmony
Raquela's technique carefully breaks down the voice by identifying the student's strengths and weaknesses using various exercises. WARNING: Not only is Raquela patient, she is also fun, charismatic, enthusiastic, high energy and loves working with children as much as adults. She supports basic skills: sight-reading (pitch and tone), vocal control (posture/breathing) while teaching her top secret vocal techniques. Everyone is encouraged to recorded their hourly lessons.
Raquela is a 2023 nominee of New World Report's, "Best Business" in California.
Raquela Burt
Experience
This is a short list of Raquela's
Musical Theater appearances...
Stage
Lead/Live Performer - "Ruthie / Taylor / Ned"
Jan 2000 - Dec 2001 - Bat Boy: The Musical
Original cast member - Union Square Theatre
Lead/Live Performer - "Julie"
Feb 1998 - Feb 2000 - Show Boat - Revival
Closed the show at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway - continued on NATIONAL tour.
Lead/Live Performer - "Gypsy, The Acid Queen"
1995 - The Who's Tommy
Closed the show at the St. James Theatre - continued with International Tour in South America.
Lead/Live Performer
1994
Disney World, Florida
"America Sings"
Lead/Live Performer
1994
Universal Studios Florida's
"The Blues Brother's show"
Lead/Singer Performer
1993
Stardust Resort and Casino
"Enter the Night"
Lead/Live Performer
1992
Huis Ten Bosch
Theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
Education
Music/Theater - BFA
Jan 1989 - Jan 1991 - University of California, Irvine
Opera/Vocal Performance
Jun 1986 - Dec 1988 - Biola University
Awards
Best Electronica
Musical
Apr 1999 Obie Award
Best Actress
Jun 1995 Pierrot Award
Other
2001, Lucille Lortel Award, 2 Richard Rodgers Awards, Outer Critics Circle Award
Affiliations
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
Jan 2016
NATS was founded in 1944 in Cincinnati, Ohio. As an outgrowth of the development of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) in the early years of the twentieth century, a group of singing teachers incorporated the association in the state of New York on November 27, 1906. NATS offers a variety of lifelong learning experiences to its members, with workshops, Intern Programs, master classes and conferences, all beginning at the chapter level and progressing to national events. Their mission is to advance excellence in singing through teaching, performance, scholarship, and research.
Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA)
Jun 2014
VASTA is an international organization whose mission is to advance the art, research, and visibility of the voice and speech profession. Goals: SERVE the needs of voice and speech specialists, teachers, and students in training and in practice. ADVOCATE for those who work and study in the field. PROMOTE the vital role of voice and speech specialists for all professional voice users. BROADEN public understanding of the nature and importance of voice and speech use and training. CREATE opportunities for ongoing education, and the exchange of knowledge and information among professionals in the field. CULTIVATE diversity within our membership, and encourage a liveliness of thought and opinion. UPHOLD and advance excellence in voice and speech.
The National Academy for the Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMY's)
Apr 2009
The Recording Academy, known variously as The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences or NARAS, is a U.S. organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its makers. The Recording Academy is headquartered in Santa Monica.
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
Jan 2000
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 480,000 US composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers. The ASCAP is committed to nurturing music makers throughout their careers.
Actors' Equity Association (AEA)
Jan 1998
Actors' Equity Association, founded in 1913, is the labor union that represents more than 49,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society.
Miss Sacramento County/Miss California/Miss America
November 1985 - Current
Raquela is a former 1990 Miss Orange County title holder and was a Top 10/Court holder at Miss California. She is a part-time committee board member, talent coach, producer and recruiter for the Miss Sacramento County Scholarship Competition. The Miss Sacramento County scholarship organization is an official local preliminary to Miss America, the largest scholarships in the world and the top provider to women in the United States.
