With a voice that has been called “undeniably fantastic” (Seattle Fine Arts Examiner), Seattle native Rachel DeShon has performed both nationally and internationally. The 2001 winner of Marvin Hamlisch’s Search for a Star competition with the Seattle Symphony, DeShon has since been seen as a guest artist on his national tour. Additional performance highlights include the Boston POPS! under the direction of Keith Lockhart at Boston’s Symphony Hall, and the Charming Vietnam Gala at Singapore’s Esplanade Concert Hall.

She received the Encouragement Award for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, won First Place in the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Tri-State (IL, MO, IA) and State Competitions in Illinois and Washington, Western Illinois University Concerto Competition Winner, Seattle Civic Opera Guild Helen Jensen Award, The City Opera Company Young Opera Singers Competition, Pafe (Performing Arts Festival Eastside) Classical and Musical Theatre Overall Excellence in Voice.
 
Rachel is a recurring cast member with Teatro ZinZanni, deemed “Seattle’s Littlest Diva” by the Seattle Fine Arts Examiner. She performs regularly in Seattle and San Francisco with Norman Durkee, Thelma Houston, Joan Baez, Lilianne Montevecchi, and Frank Ferrante.
 
Performance highlights include: Cunegonde in Candide, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, Lucille Frank in Parade, Papagena in The Magic Flute, Rusty in Footlose, Sister Mary Leo in Nunsense II, and The Diva at Teatro ZinZanni.
 
DeShon is a BFA cum laude graduate of Western Illinois University.