Rachel Philipp, senior arts administration major with a concentration in music, has recorded music professionally, performed for audiences in Pittsburgh, released an Extended Play (EP) on iTunes, Spotify and other streaming services and opened for a top act in current pop music.

Philipp recently had her senior recital on campus, displaying her musical abilities in Robert’s Chapel last Saturday. While Philipp’s senior recital signifies the end of her college career, music is something that has stuck with her since childhood.

“I have been singing, writing music and performing for quite a while,” Phillip said. “I have been involved in music since a very young age.”

Philipp started performing online via YouTube in high school by playing guitar and singing covers of popular songs.

“I started out on YouTube doing covers with my guitar,” Philipp said. “I think YouTube really helped me start sharing things with people when I was in ninth grade.”

As she grew as an artist, Philipp released an EP to iTunes, Spotify and other streaming services.

“I have written a lot of songs,” she said. “A lot of them end up in a little stash in my computer, but I have professionally recorded some into an EP, so I have some music on iTunes and Spotify.”

The EP titled “Spectacular” was released in 2016 and contains four songs with Philipp providing both vocals and playing guitar.

Outside of the studio, Philipp grew comfortable performing by actually participating in live shows.

“I started performing when I was mid-way through high school,” Philipp said. “I did a lot of shows in Pittsburgh.”
Eventually, doing shows in Pittsburgh landed her in a group of musicians from the city. It was through this group that Philipp would be presented with a unique opportunity.

“I have had some cool opportunities opening for people,” Philipp said. “I opened for Andy Grammer.”
Grammer, a top act in the pop genre, has landed spots on the Billboard Charts on multiple occasions, and his hit song “Honey, I’m Good” certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Grammer’s manager contacted Philipp via email and asked if she would be his opening act in Pittsburgh. She was able to learn lessons from Grammer through his personal story.

“We all hung out and Andy shared a little bit of his story with me,” Philipp said. “I was so inspired. He was telling me he would play music on the streets for money, and now he is where he is.”

At Waynesburg, Philipp has been focusing on school and learning additional skills to add to her repertoire. For her recital, Philipp hopes those who attended left inspired by her music.

“I know for myself if I go to a concert or a recital, I have been to many here, I just really love hearing the end product of something that someone has been working on for a long time,” Philipp said. “It’s polished and it’s beautiful and it’s inspiring, so I hope that people walk away inspired.”
Philipp is excited to continue to share her music with the world after graduation.

“I just really want to share music with people,” Philipp said. “I think music has this power to touch all of us in different ways.”
Philipp wants her followers to be on the lookout for new music later this year.