Rachelle Courtney is a Canadian jazz singer whose classic vocal style is reminiscent of artists such as Doris Day, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. Her passion for music from the Golden Era and The Great American Songbook is evident in her charming and skilled interpretations. Whether singing a playful swing tune or heart-wrenching ballad, Rachelle is able to capture the spirit and authenticity of a song, and transport the listener back to a simpler time. She has been influenced and inspired by many contemporary artists including Stacey Kent, Jane Monheit, and Emilie-Claire Barlow. Rachelle attributes her success as a jazz singer to the years she spent studying music at Humber College in Toronto with some of the finest jazz musicians in the country. In complement to her jazz background, Rachelle also has extensive training in musical theatre, which is evident in her captivating stage presence, and ability to find the emotion and intention in a song’s lyric. Her understanding of jazz has been shaped not only by the training she received from world-class musicians and educators, but also by the opportunities she has been given to perform and be part of the broader jazz community.

From choral ensembles to big bands, Rachelle has enjoyed a rewarding career performing and collaborating with many different groups. She has been a featured singer with the Swing Shift Big Band at venues such as The Rex, and the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, and has recorded accompanying vocals for singer Lori Cullen on her album “Buttercup Bugle”, with performances at Hugh’s Room and the Harbourfront Centre Theatre. She has graced the stage in her hometown at the Westben Arts Festival Theatre, and Stirling Festival Theatre; and has performed as both a lounge singer and main-stage vocalist aboard Holland America and Celebrity cruise lines, touring the world and developing an international following. Regardless the stage, Rachelle brings an intimacy to each performance through the colours in her voice, nuances of her phrasing, and her quiet persona.

Early in her career, Rachelle recorded her debut album “Unforgettable;” a compilation of romantic standards highlighting a flawless vocal tone, and sung with clarity and ease. Since then she has recorded several singles and is working toward the release of a second album.

In addition to performing, Rachelle has a Masters of Music Education from Western University where she has worked as a teaching assistant and vocal coach. She loves working with children, and enthusiastically devotes her time as a voice teacher to young students pursuing careers in musical theatre and contemporary music.

Rachelle lives in Southwestern Ontario with her jazz pianist husband, Nevin Campbell, and three daughters. She is the receiptient of the 2023 Forest City London Music Award for Jazz Vocals and enjoys performing locally at concert halls, festivals, restaurants, and private functions.