Where transformation happens
Rachel Olson Studio Staff
Rachel Olson Mezzo-Soprano
Master Instructor, Artistic Director
Two-time Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Rachel Olson has captivated audiences for over 25 years with her rich, expressive voice and dynamic stage presence. A Chicago native, Rachel spent 14 years performing with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, earning Grammy Awards for Best Classical Performance and Best Choral Performance under the baton of Riccardo Muti. She has sung in some of the nation’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, and Millennium Park, and worked with legendary conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Bernard Haitink, and James Levine. Rachel has performed leading roles with opera companies across the United States, including Tacoma Opera, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Janiec Opera Company, Seattle Light Opera, Chicago’s Moda Opera, Seattle G&S Society, and Music by the Lake, as well as internationally in Italy. Her favorite roles include Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, Dorabella in Così fan Tutte, Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Auntie in Peter Grimes.
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee, where she graduated as valedictorian, and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music. An active member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), Rachel has also dedicated over 20 years to teaching voice. Her students have achieved extraordinary success, winning more than 35 national and international awards, including the Schmidt Vocal Competition, Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA), International American Protégé Music Competition at Carnegie Hall, Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, Manhattan School of Music Scholarship, Baltic Voice Award (Lithuania), Sinfonietta Bel Canto Vocal Competition, Musichorale Vocal Contest, and America’s Got Talent.
Rachel was a frequent adjudicator for Illinois State Vocal Competitions and now runs a vocal competition in Maple Valley. Known for her ability to connect with singers of all levels, she inspires confidence and excellence in every student, from aspiring professionals to beginners discovering their voices. Now based in the Pacific Northwest, Rachel continues to inspire students and audiences through Rachel Olson Studio.
Madelyn “Maddi” Fickel
Associate Voice Instructor
Madelyn “Maddi” Fickel is a voice instructor at Rachel Olson Studio who works with singers developing vocal technique, confidence, and stage presence. She recently returned to the Seattle area after pursuing her professional theatre career in Arizona and is excited to continue performing and teaching in the Pacific Northwest. Madelyn has competed at the national level through NATS and Solo & Ensemble competitions, earning first-place honors, and has participated in intensive training programs through Village Theatre. Alongside performing, she has taught private voice lessons and audition workshops and has served as a music director for several local programs, including the Tahoma Drama Program and Village Theatre Kidstage.
Recent performance credits include Laurey in Oklahoma!, Aquata in The Little Mermaid, and Ghost of Christmas Past at ManeStage Theatre. She is committed to creating a positive, uplifting space where students can explore their artistry with confidence.
Kara Madsen
Apprentice Piano Instructor
Teaching under the mentorship of Rachel Olson
Kara Madsen is a dedicated young musician with training in piano, voice, and French horn. She has studied piano for eight years, has been involved in band as a French horn player for several years, and has studied voice with Rachel Olson for the past three years. Kara brings a kind, encouraging presence to her teaching and creates a positive environment where students can feel comfortable, build confidence, and develop a strong musical foundation in their lessons.
Her recent performance experience includes The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Tahoma High School, with Water for Elephants upcoming. Kara is a hardworking and dedicated musician, and it has been a joy to watch her grow both as a student and as a teacher. She has quickly become a favorite with her piano students.
Shannon Fillmore Vocalist and Bass Guitarist
Studio Manager
Shannon has been a vibrant part of the Maple Valley community for 14 years, blending her creative expertise with a passion for design and innovation. After earning her credentials in interior design and honing her skills as both a designer and office manager at a leading design firm, she ventured to Oregon to run her own design business—consulting on projects from cozy homes to bustling healthcare facilities. Upon returning to Washington to raise her two boys, she continued to nurture her creative passion in new ventures. Now, as our Studio Manager, Shannon ensures every detail of our studio runs smoothly and inspires creativity. A smart, friendly, and highly organized super-mom, she’s the driving force behind onboarding new students, maintaining the lesson calendar, prepping the stage for recitals, and keeping everything perfectly organized.
Beyond her design career, Shannon’s artistic spirit thrives in the world of music. Since beginning voice lessons with Rachel in 2022, she’s experienced remarkable growth in her singing, and her passion for music extends to playing bass guitar in her four-piece band with her husband. A master of multitasking, Shannon brings a unique blend of experience, dedication, and creative energy to everything she does, continuously uplifting our community. We’re incredibly fortunate to have her on board, inspiring and connecting with everyone through her dynamic work and artistic endeavors.