Introducing
Rachael Heater
Review for The Juniper Tree, by Northern Ireland Opera
"Rachel Heater captured the subdued innocence of the son before being transformed into the dazzling Juniper bird. Her aria, ‘Mama killed me, Papa ate me. Sister bundled my bones under the juniper. Look, I’m a pretty bird’ was one of the high points of the production."
Robert Beattie for Seen and Heard International
Rachael is a classically trained and accomplished soprano performing as a soloist and choral member across the UK and Ireland.
As a singer, Rachael aims to bring excellence and passion to every performance, with the awareness that music is not only an outlet for the emotions, but a true expression of the human experience and a powerful tool for communication and collaboration.
Based in Northern Ireland since 2017, Rachael’s deep love of music is evident in her continued commitment to technical excellence. She holds a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania and since 2022 has continued her studies with Professor Graeme Danby.
As a teacher, Rachael strives to cultivate this same love for music in her pupils, encouraging them to find joy in singing first and foremost, followed by understanding of their instrument and how to sing with their own true voice.
Rachael is an active member of the highly acclaimed Northern Ireland Opera Chorus and regularly performs with New Irish Arts. Her guest appearances include with the Hexham Orpheus Choir, Belfast Philharmonic Society, the Ulster Consort, and on BBC and RTE radio.
Rachael was born in Pennsylvania to two music teachers and grew up listening to a variety of musicians and genres that have played an influential role in shaping her signature sound.