school. Her parents hacked into her email and retrieved her school acceptance letter before she could even see it. On her way to highschool one morning, she came out to the kitchen to find the letter from the college on the table, waiting for her to open it. She was petrified, contemplating opening the letter for nearly ten minutes. Her talent, hard work and the grueling interview process were worth it; she was accepted. Her feelings overwhelmed her and she started to cry. It was a mixture of emotions for her: happiness, fear, excitement, apprehension. She would be going to school where other talented, wellknown artists have ventured before her: John Mayer, Charlie Puth, the drummer for the band Aerosmith and some of Pink’s and Beyonce’s band members. Under her excitement lay apprehension and anxiety of moving so far from home. After beginning school, she saw the talent of the other students and became intimidated, questioning her own ability. “After I realized how many people really supported my decision, it was easier to be excited and not so worried,” she reflects. Stage Presence Wood’s musical and writing style is a mixture of the pop-rock and country genres. She explains, “I started out and I was very centered toward country but I feel like I’ve broadened out.” During her performances, she often mixes it up between her own songs and “original” songs by other artists. She elaborates, “I don’t really like the term ‘original’ song, because every song is an original song.” Mom DeeDee says that it’s incredible to watch her daughter transform on stage. She beams, “When she gets on stage, she has so much confidence. You’d never know that she’s this shy, quiet, almost timid person. But when she gets on stage she has such a big stage presence. It’s really cool to see that change.” Familiar to stage appearances, Wood has performed at several festivals around South Dakota, a few appearances at the Huron State Fair and has even opened for a band in New Hampshire. After one State Fair performance, she was contacted to perform at the Country Music Hall of Fame for South Dakota in Garretson, SD. That honor was magnified when a man came up to her after her performance and told her that Shania Twain played in that same place before becoming a hit in the world of country music. “Just to be able to be where they were, it was a cool experience,” she reflects. Boston provides Wood with many opportunities and Berklee College is a channel of connections for artists like herself. One of her favorite quotes is, “You have to go where you’re appreciated, not just where you’re tolerated.” In the music industry, she explains, you must go somewhere where people are going to want to listen to you. Though she previously performed solo, she now has a band who has been performing with her at different venues in and around Boston. She has a person helping schedule her shows and is looking forward to performing at a big Boston music festival in September. What’s it like for Mom and Dad to see their daughter grow from a little girl on the piano to performing in concert? They both beam proudly at the question. “Excited and teary all at the same time,” says dad Gary. While performing, Wood keeps in mind some advice she’s been given. “One of my professors, Livingston Taylor, who is actually James Taylor’s brother, he always says, ‘Don’t you dare be scared because that’s being selfish and you’re not going to give the audience everything that you can give them.’” She’s excited to be at the point where she can record and share her music through a connection she’s made at school. A friend at school who is a MP&E Major, Music Production & Engineering, is helping her record demos that she’s been sending out to different producers. She has a Facebook page at “Rachel DeeLynn” and an emerging website at www.racheldeelynn.com where photos, music and touring schedules can be found. Ambitions She looks up to various role models, most of them in the music industry. She is a huge fan of country/pop artist Taylor Swift. I notice that she remarkably resembles the blonde-haired artist. “I honestly think she’s a songwriting prodigy,” she states of Swift. “She was writing songs at 12 years old that could have been on the radio.” She explains that it’s hard to find role models in this industry that serve as excellent examples as well and Wood feels like Swift is one. She also likes Kelly Clarkson, Kacey Musgraves and Mat Kearney. She looks up to women in the entertainment industry that are vocal about what they believe in, including Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Watson. vMUSIC continued on page 23 ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????? HERVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017v9