Julia Rahm

Why are we called to sing? We sing to commune with the depths and heights—the full range of life, but also the Life beyond the self. We channel something both ’of us’ and ‘beyond us.’ If we’re lucky, it is here we discover ecstasy and aliveness. Singing is alchemy. And all is welcome in the realm of song.

As an accomplished classically-trained singer and pianist with over 8 years of teaching experience, I am passionate about helping my students learn, grow, deepen in soulful expression and gain solid technique. My biggest joy is in discovering my students' unique way of learning and tailoring my approach to suit what works best for them. Whether you are looking for help with an audition, want to get your child started learning piano or singing for the first time, have musical experience and want to go deeper, or long to widen your knowledge of music theory, solid technique, and heart-centered authentic expression, I would be happy to help you in your musical journey! 

I also have a specialty in singing as a spiritual practice, helping us connect more profoundly to our soul's call, our connection to our ancestors and the Earth, and to the expansiveness of the present moment, through the meditative offering that singing can be. If you are interested in this flavor of lessons, please just let me know and feel free to ask any questions during our free 15-minute initial consultation call. 

I received my Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College in 2014, specializing in Theatre, Music and the French language. My passion for French culture led me to study opera in Paris for two years, taking lessons privately and enrolling at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. There I also sang in a French pop/variete band, and sang Vivaldi and Handel solos regularly at various cathedrals, including Chartres. Upon return to the States, I completed my Master of Music in Voice Performance at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts in 2019. While in Chicago, I performed for three years in the Chicago Symphony Chorus, under the baton of Riccardo Muti and Marin Alsop at the Ravinia Festival. I was also a founding member of the feminist opera collective The Valkyrie Ensemble and co-writer/creator of the chamber opera Gaia Gala, performed virtually in 2021.

The genres I am most knowledgeable in are: classical, baroque, opera, art song, jazz, musical theater, indie, folk, folkpop, pop, and alternative rock, but I can help with healthy vocal technqiue and solid foundations of breathing, diction, phrasing, character, and emotional expression with most any genre. Again, I tailor my lessons to your needs as a student. 

I am also a published poet, and just released my debut solo concept album Wound Tapestry in April of 2024. It is a culmination of my love of narrative, poetry, world music, vocal expression, vocal harmony, classical elements, ancient spirituality and the Deep Feminine. With the band moondaddy, I recently recorded live-to-tape vocals and played synth for our latest EP at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and performed in over 20 shows with the band including two US tours. I currently sing regularly in Musica Vitale, a chamber vocal group centering the music of Eastern Europe and continue to compose new music for my next album, as well as perform my own music live. 

As a teacher, I am all about connection, compassion, depth, specificity, dynamic communication, and reflective questioning and responding to what arises in the moment. While I base my lessons of course on the necessary tools of technique, music theory, breathing, alignment, anatomy, diction, emotional connection (what I call "singing from the heart"), repetition/practice, skillful exercises for increasing flexibility, range, balance, and freedom, what I feel to be the most essentially "me" in the lessons is always asking you questions to return the learning back to your experience. Especially when it comes to the esoteric instrument of the voice, an instrument we cannot see or take apart and analyze, we have to be able to feel in our own bodies what is happening, attuning ourselves to subtle changes in how we experience the moment. The students who do best with me are those who are willing to do this work of really listening, tuning in, feeling and reporting back to me. In this way, I can help guide you toward the most ease, freedom, joy, wonder, and sense of aliveness in your singing. Then we become co-creators together, ultimately helping getting out of the way for the most easeful aliveness to channel through.

That said, I also do well with younger students, helping them feel more confident in their vocal capacities, trusting their own bodies, gaining technique in a kind of "under the radar" way, and simply taking joy in learning about melody, rhythm, emotional expression, meaning in words and theory. Kids seem to really enjoy my simple and fun approaches, following their musical interests while also introducing them to some new and unexpected music they may have never heard of. Expanding our musical palette is what can connect us across cultures and gain a well-rounded appreciation for the multifaceted, rich and deep history of music across this planet. It can build bridges and unite hearts across illusory divides. 

Testimonials

“Julia has been teaching my daughter Jordy piano for about a year now and she has helped her improve tremendously.  Throughout the year, Julia has taught Jordy advanced technical skills and has inspired her to practice on her own. Along with being extremely professional and patient, Julia has made learning the piano fun. We are so blessed to have Julia as Jordy’s piano instructor.”

-Sarah J. (Olivenhain, CA)

“I love the way Julia connects with the kids.  They get excited to see her each week and love to tell her about their progress.  She is patient and kind and it’s clear that she really cares about them.  She has helped nurture their love of all things music related! Both of my children have made beautiful progress learning to play piano since starting lessons with her.”

-Kim S. (Chicago, IL)

“I love that Julia always teaches me something new every week. All of the songs she has taught me have been fun. She always encourages me and cheers for me. Sometimes we also get to play fun games.”

-John S. (Chicago, IL)

“I hadn’t played piano since I was a child and Julia got me right back in the flow. She’s endlessly patient and will get you playing your favorite songs in no time. I’m blown away by her simple approach at teaching chord building, hand positions, and note reading. She’s extremely knowledgeable about music theory, and the classes are filled with deep insights. I love her!”

-Anna Z. (Los Angeles, CA)

“My daughter started piano lessons with Julia a couple of years ago. I didn’t expect how much my daughter would love her teacher and playing piano. Liz, our first teacher was so wonderful and motivating. We were sad when she moved out of state but when we met Julia, my kids current teacher I knew it would be a good fit as well. My son (6) started piano about a year ago as well. Both kids have learned so much. I am also impressed how Julia adjusts her teaching style for my kids. My son needs to be creatively challenged so she will let him compose his own songs sometimes which he loves and keeps his motivation up (he just turned 6 so keeping him interested in piano via zoom is quite a challenge - one that Julia handles wonderfully). My daughter is a perfectionist who gets frustrated when she doesn’t get things right but Julia makes sure she stays on track. We miss having Julia here in person of course but given the situation I couldn’t be happier.”

-Aline S. (Chicago, IL)