biography
A native of London, Ontario, Canada, Mezzo-Soprano Rachel Wood is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying with Dr. Robert Harrison. She holds a Master of Music in Literature and Performance degree from the University of Western Ontario Don Wright Faculty of Music, where she was honored to study with Dr. Sophie Roland. Rachel most recently performed the role of Dorabella in the Indiana University Opera and Ballet Theater production of Mozart's Così fan tutte. This past summer, Rachel took part in the inaugural session of the Accademia Europea dell'Opera in Milan and Lucca, Italy, where she sang the role of Madame de Croissy in Poulenc's Dialogues des Carmélites. Other recent opera credits include Zita in Gianni Schicchi and Alma March in Little Women (IU Opera Theater). In 2010, Rachel sang the role of Cornelia in Handel's Giulio Cesare in Egitto in Sulmona, Italy with the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy. She later reprised the role with the Aradia Ensemble in a concert production at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, Ontario. Rachel has appeared in performances with Opera Kitchener, where she sang the role of the Mother in Madama Butterfly. During her studies at the University of Western Ontario, Rachel sang the role of Emma Jones in Street Scene, Dame Doleful in the Canadian premiere of Edwin Penhorwood's comic opera Too Many Sopranos, and appeared in numerous other productions, including Suor Angelica, The Merry Widow, and Così fan tutte.
As a recitalist, Rachel has been commended for her interpretation and performance of art song and chamber music. Rachel has performed with pianists Charles Foreman and Kathleen van Mourik for the Mountain View Connection in Calgary, Alberta, where she received praise for her performance in a December, 2010 recital entitled "Murder and Mayhem". Rachel has also appeared in recital for the Encore Vocal Arts in Indianapolis, and the "Midday Music" recital series in Barrie, Ontario with pianist Jenna Douglas. In 2009, Rachel and pianist Dr. Carolyn Herrington performed Bon Appétit, Lee Hoiby's hilarious "musical monologue" for mezzo-soprano based on Julia Child's cooking shows.
Rachel is particularly interested in the study and performance of contemporary music, especially new Canadian compositions. In 2006, she performed the title role in excerpts from Ramona Luengen's Naomi's Road at the University of Manitoba's Contemporary Opera Lab, and has premiered and performed numerous works by local Canadian composers. Rachel and colleagues performed George Crumb's Madrigals with chamber ensemble at UWO under the guidance of contemporary music authority Dr. John Hess. In April of 2010, Rachel and friends organized and performed a recital showcasing the vocal works of Hensall, Ontario composer Jeff Smallman. During her graduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, Rachel was granted an Ontario Graduate Scholarship for her proposal to study and perform Canadian art song. Rachel has completed summer training programs at the Accademia Europea dell'Opera, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Manitoba, the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy, Songfest at Pepperdine University, Mountain View International Festival of Song and Chamber Music, and the Centre for Opera Studies in Sulmona, Italy. She has been engaged by the Peterborough Singers and Aradia Ensemble in Ontario, and the Mountain View Connection in Calgary.