NAMM, The International Music Products Association

Just three years after Michelle Branch first picked up a guitar at the age of 14, she was signed to Maverick Records with an album in stores. Branch's debut, The Spirit Room, was produced by John Shanks (Melissa Etheridge, Chris Isaak) and issued in August 2001, spawning the leadoff hit single/video "Everywhere." In 2005 it was announced that Branch had begun a project with Nashville singer/songwriter Jessica Harp. Originally dubbed the Homewreckers, the duo shortened their name to the Wreckers and released their debut album, Stand Still, Look Pretty, in 2006. Author: Greg Prato

“Music has brought so much joy to my life. I started out playing guitar, but love to dabble in making music with various instruments.”

“I am grateful that as a child I had so much drive and support to play an instrument. I took the initiative to start making music by saving up my own money to buy my first guitar. It took time, but was well worth it.”

“Still today, walking into a local music store full of different instruments opens my eyes to so many possibilities. You can look around and see your neighbors picking up their first instrument, tuning an old one, or taking the next step with a current favorite. Making music can give a sense of belonging, accomplishment and hope.”

Hugo was born in Luanda, Africa on March 7, 1974. He was brought up speaking Portugese and English and he speaks both well. His father started him playing the piano at about 4 or 5. After awhile his love for music took control and he just started playing in everything from wedding bands, dance music groups, off tune rock groups and even Portugese folkore groups. He started a new band called Tantric with the former members from Days of The New in Louisville, Kentucky. They scored a smash hit single with "Breakdown" (which shot to #1 on Billboards Modern Rock Tracks chart), a Top 10 hit with "Astounded" and a Top 20 single in "Mourning."

“I am inspired by various musicians from Metallica to Frank Sinatra – and everything in between. I play piano, guitar, drums and bass. Each instrument provides a form of communication to convey emotions and creativity.”

“Making music has proved to me that if you are persistent and work hard enough your dreams can ultimately come true. I love it when others can relate and associate, and hopefully benefit, from my music.”

“Have fun. Practice should be a given, if you love it, then getting better will be an automatic result.”

In Nov '04, Tammy visits Lisa's music studio and sits at the drum kit for the first time. On a whim, Lisa sings and plays keyboards while Marlane plays her three chords and to everyone's surprise, especially her own, Tammy was able to keep the beat on the drums. Never having played an instrument in her life, and being an overachiever, Tammy buys a drum kit, begins drum lessons and shows up with incredible lyrics, all within one week. Today, Tammy's expressive drumming creates the incredible backbeat of HRT's music and the lyrical collaboration with Lisa further captures the essence of HRT. Watching Tammy play live, it is hard to tell who is having more fun, her or the audience.

“I bought my first drum set at the ripe old age of 37 at the Indie Music Store in Milford, New Hampshire. Now playing the drums satisfies my creative side that I ignored for far too long. My advice to someone learning to play a musical instrument: Never give up - no matter what.”

Grant has been playing music since the age of three. He started out on piano, which is still his strongest instrument. This year, he received the coveted "Gold Cup" award for his 3rd consecutive "superior" mark for piano in the National Federation of Music Festival. At age 8 Grant began playing guitar and, when the band needed a drummer for an audition, he started playing drums at the age of 10. His dream: open for Green Day in a huge stadium! Grant's favorite bands are Led Zeppelin, Green Day, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who, Boston, Rush, The Stones, The Police, The Fray, Queen, FlukeBeauty, Ozzy Osbourne.

“It's hard to describe what a great feeling I get when I see people getting excited about our music. The advice that I would give to someone learning to play is to never give up. I started playing the piano when I was 5, and I still take piano lessons. I also play guitar and drums, which came easier because of the piano.”

Singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw grew up playing music at home with piano studies beginning at eight and later playing in cover bands with his older brother in upstate New York. After a brief stint studying music at the prestigious Berklee School of Music, DeGraw, who had been writing his own songs since his cover band days, decided to make a go of it as a singer/songwriter in New York City. Upon his arrival in the late '90s, DeGraw made an impression with crowds, and occasionally with journalists, as his name began to pop up in columns and best-of lists. The steady buzz led to offers from major labels, but DeGraw chose to take his time, and let his craft develop and his audience grow. He eventually signed a record deal with Clive Davis and his J Records imprint (home of Santana as well as R&B mainstays Alicia Keys and Angie Stone). DeGraw's debut, Chariot, arrived in the summer of 2003 and, like his early days in New York City, it slowly built momentum and earned the young singer a small but fervent following. By 2004, its first single, "I Don't Wanna Be," had become a Top 40 number one hit, and the album was re-released in a form that augmented the original album with a made-over acoustic version, billed as Chariot -- Stripped. DeGraw's next single, "Chariot," was also met with positive response and climbed the charts in 2005.
Wade Kergan, All Music Guide

“You can feel the excitement and sense of possibility in everyone who picks up an instrument, whether they are my age or my dad's age. Walk into your local music store, and you will see dreams developing for people of all ages and backgrounds. Music has changed my life, are you ready to let it change yours?”

“Seeing the friendly, familiar face of my local musical instrument retailer not only provides personal attention, it gives me a sense of community. A music store provides a place for people to come together to talk about playing music, learn about community groups and events, and challenge and inspire each other.”

“Music has been my airline ticket to a new world of possibilities. To play music, I don't need any money in my pocket, or a good pair of sneakers, or anyone else around. I never even planned on having an audience, it just worked out that way.”

She grew up with her parents and her sister with a love for music, singing for the first time when she was 3, writing lyrics when she was 8 and at 13 picking up her guitar. Jessica pursued a solo career in music, releasing her independent album, Preface in 2002. She joined up with her long-time friend Michelle Branch to form The Wreckers, whose song "The Good Kind" was featured on One Tree Hill and on the show's soundtrack. The Wreckers' album Stand Still, Look Pretty was released May 23, 2006, which was preceded by the single and music video "Leave the Pieces". On November 23, 2006, Jessica appeared on the very first live game broadcast by the NFL Network to sing the U.S. national anthem before the Thanksgiving Day game between her hometown Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos. In December 2006, the Wreckers were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the song "Leave the Pieces". On January 24, 2007, the Wreckers performed at the 55th Annual NHL all star game and sang the American national anthem.

“My dad supported my love for music and jump-started my lifelong hobby by giving me my first guitar at the age of 13. I continue to expand my talent and find new ways to express myself through making music.”

“All around you there is inspiration for music, in extraordinary events and in everyday life. Music can take you back to another time and memory or give you hope for something new.”

“Music transcends barriers by being a hobby anyone can do, at any age or talent level. Local independent music stores have become venues to show how people can come together in a community to play and learn from one another.”

While with Buffalo Springfield, he served as a recording engineer, producer, and eventually as a bass player (he replaced Bruce Palmer) on their last album. Messina and Richie Furay, another Buffalo Springfield member, formed Poco after Buffalo Springfield broke up. Messina played lead guitar and supplied vocals and some songwriting to the band. After recording two albums, Messina left Poco. After Poco, Messina was with Columbia Records, serving as an independent producer when he met Kenny Loggins. Messina and Loggins worked together on what was to be Loggins' first album. In the course of producing Loggins' work, Messina provided backup vocals and guitar work. Eventually, the two decided to put out the album as "Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin' In". Loggins and Messina went on to make a number of popular albums. In 1976, the duo split: Loggins felt he had learned all he could from his "mentor" Messina and wanted to strike out on his own. Both went on to solo careers. Messina made some albums that did not make much of a splash, but Loggins' solo career took off. Messina, however, kept busy as a painter and as a songwriting coach. He now runs the successful Jim Messina's Songwriters' Performance Workshop. In 2005, Loggins and Messina reconnected and decided to hit the road as a duo again. The result was a successful nationwide tour that produced the CD and DVD "Loggins and Messina Sittin' In Again."

“With an active music maker as a father, I grew up with music in my house and naturally picked up an instrument at an early age. At 13 years old my parents supported my passion for music and purchased my first instrument from a shop in downtown LA. I have been hooked ever since playing acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, and the mandolin.”

“My inspiration for being a musician is from the great music makers that have come and gone, but their music continues to live on. Beginning with Chet Atkins and Merle Travis, through Scotty Moore and James Burton, to people like Larry Carton, Earl Klugh and of course the great flamenco players who continue to inspire me to explore music.”

“Music is a way of life. It has enriched my life in countless ways, from giving me a creative outlet to providing a better life for my kids. People of all ages and skill levels should find an instrument that they have fun playing, practice, take good care of it, and, in time, it might open up doors for them and become a best friend.”

Lisa has been a professional jazz musician and songwriter for 25 years. A veteran performer from New York City and a graduate of NYU, Lisa has performed with Harry Connick Jr., and placed 9th out of 1600 performers at the Boston Pops Search in 2004. She produced a best-selling cd series in 1999, Jazz for Kids, that has sold all over the world. Lisa's colorful, textured keyboard arrangements provide the heart & soul of HRT's music. The lyrical collaboration of Tammy and Lisa produces clever, poignant songs that everyone can relate to. Her energetic stage presence demands, and gets a response, every show. Her sultry voice with incredible range leaves the audience believing that anything is possible.

“Playing music keeps me young and inspired. When learning a new instrument, practice, have fun, keep playing and join a band. Remember, playing an instrument is play, not work.”

Marlane is a lifelong follower of jam bands and an avid concert-goer. As a teenager, she learned to play 3 chords on the guitar and played those same 3 chords until December of 2004, when HRT was born. Since then she has spent about 6 hours a day, everyday, practicing and developing very impressive chops. The songs really come together when she brings in a riff she discovered the night before. She is finally living her lifelong dream of being playing rock-n-roll and it is her laid-back spirit and musical passion that provides the platform from which all HRT songs are built.

“I love shopping at my local music retailer because you build a personal relationship with the people who work there. They know my band, my musical tastes and my equipment... that is huge!”

“Don't get discouraged when you begin playing a new instrument. Stay with it because it's worth the time to learn. Once you learn an instrument, nobody could ever take that away from you.”

Reed is a multi-talented young man with diverse interests and hobbies. When he's not rocking-out with Still Pending, he does gymnastics, Taekwondo (he's a black belt!!) plays soccer, snowboards and likes to mess around on his brother's drums. Reed harkens from a musical family. Reed also starred in the music video, "Guitar Man," by the band Cake. He also loves roller coasters. Reed likes listening to Aerosmith, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Cake, Cream, The Eagles, Elton John, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Guns 'n Roses, Jimmi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Motley Crue, Neil Young, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, The Police, The Presidents of the United States of America, Queen, Queens of the Stone Age, The Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel, Steve Miller Band, Stevie Wonder, Thin Lizzy, Tom Petty, U2, Van Halen, The Vines, The Who and other classic rock.

“Music pumps me up. Sometimes when I'm really tired, picking up the guitar can completely re-energize me. Playing an instrument is so much fun, in front of a huge crowd or even alone practicing.”

Ian has been playing the Bass for three years. As well as being the Bass player for Still Pending he also plays the upright bass for his school orchestra, and is the lead bassist for his school jazz band. Ian's private instructor is Jay Haser, who is a recording artist for a major record label. Ian's favorite bass player is Geddy Lee from Rush. He also gets inspiration from Jaco Pastorious, Victor Wooten, Flea, and Stanley Clark. When not playing the bass Ian enjoys wakeboarding and camping with his family, skateboarding, playing video games, playing the banjo and guitar. He and his Dad play Bluegrass music. Ian's favorite bands are Rush, Velvet Revolver, Aerosmith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eagles, Elvis, Chuck Berry, James Gang, Jimi Hendrix, John Mellencamp, Kiss, Lenny Kravitz, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Stanley Clarke, The Who, & ZZ Top.

“Making music makes me realize that I can be good at anything I want to do. I am grateful for the people at Five Star Guitars in Hillsboro, Oregon, where I go for instruments and bass lessons. The people who work there have become friends of mine. They are supportive of my music and are always interested in hearing the latest on the band.”

Malmsteen was born into a musical family in Stockholm. Yngwie was the youngest child in the family. On September 18, 1970, at age seven, he saw a television news broadcast reporting on the death of Jimi Hendrix which caused him to become obsessed with the guitar. The news segment showed only a clip of Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar, but no actual songs. To quote his official website, "The day Jimi Hendrix died, the guitar-playing Yngwie was born". At the age of 10 he took his mother's maiden name Malmsteen as his surname, and Anglicised his given name Yngve to "Yngwie". Malmsteen was in his teens when he first encountered the music of the 19th century violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini, whom he cites as his biggest classical influence. Through his emulation of Paganini concerto pieces on guitar, Malmsteen developed a prodigious technical fluency. Malmsteen also cites Jimi Hendrix, Brian May of Queen, Steve Hackett of Genesis, Uli Jon Roth, and Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple as influences. Malmsteen broke new ground and contributed to the evolution of modern rock guitar, particularly with his embracing of modal progressions and classically-influenced techniques not widely used in rock music. He is often credited, along with Randy Rhoads, with increasing the popularity of the neoclassical heavy metal genre and inspiring a new generation of electric guitarists including Paul Gilbert, Jason Becker, and Tony MacAlpine.

“I can't even remember when I wasn’t creating music. I did a show in my home city of Stockholm awhile back. My middle school teacher came and she brought me a poster that I had drawn for my band nearly 30 years ago. I could not believe it. Music has really taken me places.”

“Ever since I was born I have always been surrounded by music. My older brother and sister were multi-instrumentalists playing piano, flute, violin and drums. I received my first guitar on my fifth birthday but, also played piano, cornet, flute and drums for a couple of years. When I was seven, I saw Jimi Hendrix on Swedish television and began my lifelong love affair with the guitar. I picked up my guitar that very moment and played day in and day out.”

Massachusetts native Joe Pessia began playing guitar in his early teens and later attended The Berklee College of Music where he graduated with a Degree in Professional Music. He has taught guitar lessons for several years around the New England area. As a performer, he has toured the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia and has opened for artists such as The Pretenders, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, and The Black Eyed Peas as well as collaborated on various commercially-released albums as a guitarist, bassist and co-writer.

“Playing music has given me a purpose in lifit fulfills me spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. It has allowed me to have some really amazing experiences and has connected me with some truly great people.”

“My favorite type of music stores are the small boutique places with vintage, hard-to-find gear. Sometimes even finding something similar to what you owned - or wished you owned - growing up. There is a timeless novelty and excitement there that never leaves you.”

“Music has become my creative release, a fulfilling enjoyment, and a great job. It has taken me places, emotionally and physically, from trips around the world to quirky and crazy situations that give you your life stories.”

Growing up in Massachusetts, Kenny joined his first band at age ten. A self-taught drummer, he played in local bands throughout junior high and high school. At 16, he decided to focus on classical music and began to study seriously with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He went on to study at the University of Massachusetts and at Indiana University, where, among other honors, he was awarded the school's prestigious Performer's Certificate. After graduating from IU in 1976, Kenny was offered timpani positions in several symphony orchestras, but instead decided to head to the east coast, where he studied drum set in Boston and New York.

During this time he began to concentrate on jazz and fusion music, and in 1977 he returned to Indiana and spent several years in a popular local band, playing throughout the Midwest. In 1980 he joined the John Mellencamp band, recording 10 albums and touring with him over a 17-year period. Kenny's innovative style and solid backbeat became the driving force behind Mellencamp's long run of definitive hit records in the '80's and '90s, a list that includes "American Fool", "Scarecrow", "Uh Huh", "The Lonesome Jubilee", "Whenever We Wanted", "Dance Naked", "Big Daddy", "Human Wheels" and others.

Kenny Aronoff is one of the world's most influential and in-demand drummers. The list of artists he's worked with reads like a who's who of the music industry, and includes John Mellencamp, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Seger, Melissa Etheridge, Jon Bon Jovi, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Alanis Morissette, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Avril Lavigne, John Fogerty, Joe Cocker, Mick Jagger, Alice Cooper, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Raitt, Ricky Martin, Santana, Trey Anastasio, Michelle Branch, and many others. With a style of playing that combines power and finesse, Kenny was named the #1 Pop/Rock Drummer and the #1 Studio Drummer for five consecutive years by the readers of Modern Drummer Magazine, and in addition has played on over 30 Grammy-nominated recordings.

“Playing music has given me a purpose in life - it fulfills me spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. It has allowed me to have some really amazing experiences and has connected me with some truly great people.”

“I support all local retailers. I support every store that sells music, but especially support the small specialty stores because they are owned by people who are passionate about what they do and take great care in giving you the best.”

Sean Paul Henriques was born in Kingston Jamaica, on January 8, 1973, to a Portuguese father and a Chinese-Jamaican mother. Having that kind of cross-cultural upbringing exposed Sean Paul to myriad realities and ideas, not to mention his mother's artistic leanings. She was a famous painter in Jamaica, and encouraged Sean's creativity. At 13, his mother got him a little keyboard, on which he composed his first riddims. A consummate athlete, Sean Paul mastered swimming and water polo, representing Jamaica in both sports in international events. But it was music, especially dancehall -- an upbeat cross between reggae, hip-hop and pop -- that drove him. He became a DJ after he began writing his own songs, patterning his style largely after Super Cat and finding a mentor in Don Yute; he also found contacts in several members of the reggae-pop band Third World in 1993, which helped open up business connections.

Paul released his debut single, "Baby Girl," with producer Jeremy Harding in 1996; it proved a significant success, leading to further Jamaican hits like "Nah Get No Bly (One More Try)," "Deport Them," "Excite Me," "Infiltrate," and "Hackle Mi." In 1999, Sean Paul started to make inroads to American audiences; he was first commissioned to collaborate with fellow dancehall hitmaker Mr. Vegas on a production for rapper DMX; titled "Here Comes the Boom," the song was included in director Hype Williams' film Belly. Also that year, Paul scored a Top Ten hit on the Billboard rap charts with "Hot Gal Today." Unfortunately, Paul had a very public falling out with Mr. Vegas over the packaging of the latter's remix of "Hot Gal Today"; still, it didn't slow Paul's career momentum, as he played the Summer Jam 2000 in New York City, the center of his American popularity. That fall, Paul released his first album on VP Records; the sprawling Stage One collected many of Paul's previous hit singles and compilation cuts, plus a few brand-new tracks. 2002's Dutty Rock and 2005's The Trinity were extremely successful. Both albums peaked in the Top Ten of the album chart and featured a handful of mainstream smashes.

“I've always been told that music develops your brain, and that's an important thing. It helps you to remember a lot faster. I think it's good for kids to experiment with their emotions that way through music and get their feelings out because that's what it's supposed to be—kids are supposed to talk it through.”

Born and raised in San Diego, California, Adam Brody spent a lot of his teen years hanging out with his friends, having fun and surfing. Upon graduation, he convinced his parents to allow him to attend college in Los Angeles. However, instead of enrolling in school, he hired an acting coach, signed with a personal manager and soon landed the lead in the NBC movie-of-the-week, Growing Up Brady (2000) (TV), playing Barry Williams (Greg Brady). He has appeared on the Gilmore Girls and other TV series, and subsequently came to fame for his role as Seth Cohen on The O.C., establishing his defining screen persona.

Brody plays drums for the band Big Japan with actor Bret Harrison. He writes screenplays and songs during his spare time and has co-written, along with Danny Bilson (father of Rachel Bilson) and Paul DeMeo, a comic book miniseries for Wildstorm Comics called Red Menace. Brody has also volunteered as an actor with the Young Storytellers Program, which is dedicated to developing literacy, self-expression and self-esteem in elementary school children.

“Me and my friends are in a band, and it's fun. It's amazing. It's a great way to get out some aggression and it's just something that's really good and fun to put your energy into. I'm not saying it's productive in the sense that you're going to make money or to make people smile, you might, but I think it's a productive thing to do with a few hours. It's a good social thing, you normally don't do it alone, you normally get together, and it's a good skill that, you know, if you can pick up an instrument when you're young, that will come back to you later in life and - I can't tell you how many people wish they could play the guitar or wish they learned this or wish I'd learned the that. I took guitar in eighth grade. You need to do everything you can to keep kids really excited about school, and even though English might be the most important class in school, you need to hook them with some stuff, and you need to keep some things that are educational and interesting to a sixth grader, not just a college student. I think that's a great way to keep people invested in school.”

He was born in San Diego, California on October 8, 1980. He attended Avocado Elementary School in Spring Valley California, Quail Hollow Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina and Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley, California. He began performing at the age of eight, and later formed the rap duo "Da Bomb Squad" with his best friend. Together they opened for the likes of Will Smith, LFO, 98 Degrees, and Montell Jordan. When Cannon was sixteen, he moved to Hollywood, where he performed at such comedy clubs as The Improv, The Laugh Factory and the Comedy Store. Wild 'N Out returned for its third season on August 10, 2006 and ended October 5 of that year. A new sketch comedy show created by Cannon, called Short Circuitz debuted on April 5, 2007.

“I always had a lot of energy when I was in school, and it was hard for me to focus until I picked up an instrument. And I was able to focus on that and show my love for drums and keyboard, and once I did that I was able to excel more in school, so I think it's definitely important for you to keep your musical instruments and stuff in school. It helps you with your other work - you can have something to help you focus. It's definitely important to me.”

Amber Rose Tamblyn was born May 14, 1983 in Santa Monica, California. Amber caught an agent's eye at the age of ten after a performance in "Pippi Longstocking". She came to fame for her role of Emily Bowen-Quartermaine of the popular soap "General Hospital" followed by a starring role on the television series Joan of Arcadia. She has branched out into film roles, appearing in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Grudge 2. Amber is the daughter of actor "Russ Tamblyn" and her mother, "Bonnie Tamblyn", is a singer and artist. In addition, Amber writes poetry and has been published in the San Francisco publications, Cups and Poetry USA. Amber also enjoys singing, dancing, and theater in addition to her life on "General Hospital".

“I think music is one of the best forms of expression for young people. I think it's extremely important that they not only listen to it and listen to quality music, but engage in it as well. So I think that music programs and probably relationship and conversation programs in school are the most important things in school. Those are the keys to a healthy human being, a healthy child - expression and learning how to be able to talk and communicate.”

Ashlee started dancing at the age of 4 and by the time she was 11 enjoyed the status of being the youngest person ever admitted to the prestigious School of American Ballet. By 14, She was dancing professionally on the road with her older sister, singing sensation Jessica Simpson. She has spent the past three years on tour supporting her sibling and garnering her own fan-base. She appears on the big screen this February in the film The Hot Chick (2002) alongside Rob Schneider. She already has television appearances under her belt including a guest-starring role on "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000). She has also appeared alongside her sister on "Saved by the Bell: The New Class" (1993), "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" (1996), "The View" (1997), "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992) and a Disney Christmas show and concert special. Ashlee is in the process of signing her own recording deal and has been talking to MTV about doing her own show. She has also been training with renowned acting coach Janet Alhanti. Currently living in Los Angeles, Ashlee enjoys spending her free time vintage shopping, writing and recording music and hanging out with friends. Her most recent work includes two well-received CDs, "Autobiography" and "I Am Me".

“Music has been, in my family, a huge, huge thing, and I think that it's sort of helped me evolve as who I am as a person. I think it's important to pick up instruments and learn things because for me it's changed my life. I can write about whatever I'm feeling because I can play guitar. I can just sit down if I'm having a problem, if I'm feeling happy, whatever, and write a song about it and it's such a wonderful release. I think music just makes people feel all kinds of emotion. Music is a huge part of education.”

Rachel Miner wanted to be an actress from age two. She began working with an acting coach at eight, got an agent at nine and, by ten, had not only worked for Woody Allen, but was cast as "Michelle Bauer" on "The Guiding Light" (1952) (a part that started as recurring and evolved into a contract role lasting nearly five years and earning her three Young Artist Awards and an Emmy nomination). Born into a show business family, she represents the third generation of Miners to take to the theatre, film and television. Her father, Peter Miner is an Emmy winning director and noted NYC acting and directing teacher, her mother is a writer and Off-Off Broadway director. Her grandparents were producer/director Worthington Miner and actress Frances Fuller. Her brother is the former actor Peter Miner.

In addition to her film and television work, Rachel has several noteworthy theatrical credits. At fourteen, she appeared in Laura Cahill's "The Way at Naked Angels" (1994). She made her Broadway debut at seventeen, playing "Margo Frank" to Natalie Portman's Anne in Wendy Kesselman's adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank" (1996/97), directed by James Lapine. She originated the role of "Rivkele" in Donald Margulies' adaptation of Sholom Asch's "God of Vengeance" (2000), directed by Gordon Edelstein at ACT in Seattle. She also originated the role of "Sandy" in Rebecca Gilman's "Blue Surge" (2001), directed by Robert Falls at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago (and reprised in 2002 at The Public Theatre in NYC).

“Music helps get kids passionate about something. I think music is one of those tools that helps people to free themselves. I think there's no better thing than being able to create something, to really come alive and explore what you can make.”