Even as a newborn, Rachelle Williams had an ear for music.

With his 2-day-old daughter securely nestled in the crook of his arm, Joe Williams sat down at the family's black Yamaha piano to pick out a tune.

To the surprise and delight of both her parents, Rachelle began to “sing” - cooing and babbling along with the music.

Flash forward 15 years and the Arroyo Grande High School freshman is preparing to perform in March with the exclusive All-State Honors Choir in Sacramento.

Out of a field of at least 1,000 hopefuls throughout the state, only about 100 actually make it into the choir, which is composed entirely of high school students.

“It should be fun,” said Rachelle, a straight-A student who sings soprano in the 35-member Arroyo Grande High School A Cappella Choir. “You just don't really get an opportunity to sing with a group of 100.”

At the start of the school year, Chris Bledsoe - Arroyo Grande High School music teacher and a cappella choir director - formally recommended Rachelle to try out for the state choir.

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All students must have the backing of a teacher before they can audition, and Rachelle is only the second student Bledsoe has ever recommended, said Susan Williams, Rachelle's mother.

Bledsoe couldn't be reached for comment during the school's holiday vacation.

In September, Rachelle went to Templeton High School for the first in a series of auditions. There she advanced to the regional tryout at Stanford University.

The 3-day regional tryout consisted of grueling 12- and 8-hour practice sessions, followed by a public performance, where Rachelle was the only singer in the group of hopefuls asked to perform a solo.

And all this despite an unfortunate mishap that had her scrambling to prepare for the audition after receiving the required music - seven classical pieces in five different languages - only two weeks ahead of time.

However, she said, the effort was worth it in the end when she received the news that she made the state choir.

Rachelle had no idea she had made the choir until a teacher relayed the good news one early-December day while reading off announcements.

“So, yeah, the entire school found out at the same time (as me),” said Rachelle with a laugh.

Judith Dunlore, a former opera singer and private music teacher who works with Rachelle, said it's the teen's focus that helps her succeed.

“Not only is she gifted, but she does something about it,” said Dunlore. “She realizes it takes work and concentration and discipline to develop her skills, and that's what I think sets her apart.”

For the budding songstress and her parents, Rachelle's appointment to the state choir was an affirmation of her promise.

“She's planning on making music her career, so it's reassuring ... she's already making a name for herself,” said Susan Williams.

College recruiters are aware of her daughter and are already tagging her for possible scholarships, she added.

Though she definitely knows she wants to make music her life work, Rachelle said she isn't exactly sure of the road she wants to take her career down.

“I'm going to try and do as much as I can in all different genres,” she said.

Natalie Ragus can be reached at 347-4580 or nragus@santamariatimes.com.

January 2, 2008