Written on January 12th, 2006, by About.com's, Jerald Matthews
RAQUELA® is an American Dance-pop, House music and Hi-NRG singer/songwriter, assistant producer and actress. She successfully released dance tracks that have made her a recognized Billboard artist today.
She is the eldest to German American and Texas Mexican, Fred and Elizabeth Burt. Raquela began fascinating the audience since she was 7 years old. At 9 she began performing professionally on stage. She was 12 when she wrote and performed her first original folk/contemporary/pop song on guitar. Her proud beginnings started off in a small cowboy town called Elk Grove, (Northern California) where, at the time, Mexican Americans were not so commonly accepted into theatre. Despite those obstacles, she was still awarded scholarships that allowed her to take off for Los Angeles. There she studied Voice, Music and Musical Theatre. She was later endorsed into two California Proclamations by Senator Diane Feinstein for her civil duties as the 1st Mexican American crowned, "Miss Orange County". After winning several more vocal competitions and earning many nominations for 'Best Actress' throughout the country, she eventually found herself on Broadway.
In addition to Dance music, RAQUELA proudly appeared on some of the world's largest stages. Some of Raquela's Broadway credits include, The Acid Queen (Gypsy) in "The Who's, TOMMY", (Julie) in the revival musical, "Show Boat" as well as originating roles in Off-Broadways, "Bat Boy-The Musical". (Ruthie Taylor, Ned and Young Meredith) Raquela had the incredible honor of working 'one-on-one' with Tony award winners like George C. Wolf, Steven Schwartz, Des McAnuff, Wayne Cilento, Susan Stroman, and Harold Prince.
RAQUELA is even prouder to have worked alongside stage celebrities like Sara Ramirez (Grey's Anatomy), Carol Burnet, Cloris Leachman, Bernadette Peters, Mandy Patinkin, Paige Davis (Trading Spaces), Billy Porter, Kaitlin Hopkins, Toni Collette, Mark Jacoby, Alice Ripley, Don Rickels, Elaine Stritch, Gretha Boston, Chita Rivera, Michael McElroy, Norm Lewis, Angela Bassett, Cheryl Freeman, Joan Rivers, Rebecca Luker, Lonette McKee, John McMartin, and Tom Bosely.
Her stage name, "RAQUELA", evolved while working in New York City. She struggled just to get people to remember her name, much less spell it. Her inter-racial appearance often confused many. (Even casting directors.) She promised that the next time someone called her "Mrs. Burt", she would drop her last name. And in 1999, she did just that. When Raquela was asked about her musical influences, she quickly replied, "Oh everyone in my life has inspired me in my music. Even my high school drafting teacher! But I'll tell you this, the first time I heard my favorite Pop star and Broadway actress release a disco track together, my life changed!" She was speaking of course, about Donna Summer and Barbara Streisand. In her younger years, opera stars like mezzo-soprano Jessye Norman, made an impact on her earliest vocal techniques. On a theatrical approach, surprisingly it was Rock stars like Styx, Rush, Supertramp, ELO, Pink Floyd and Annie Lennox who would begin a profound power over Raquela's writing style. Later it was dance artists like Madonna, New Order, Aqua, Deee-Lite and American New Wave group, the B-52's. To her, it was the German Euro-trance band, 'Groove Coverage' that was the closet to writing anything 'theatrically' than any other dance group before herself.
"Before Lady GaGa, there was, and still is. RAQUELA"
RAQUELA, (Not to be confused with the international 2008, award winning film called, "The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela" who is a philipino transgender boy who happen to take Raquela's name) actually began her dance industry career in 1999 with the release of her award winning work, "Raquela and The Confession's of the Disco Diva" (http://www.angelfire.com/oz/raquii) The project began in 1995. At the time, it could only be known as "Musical Electronica" or "Theatrical Electronica". Raquela's ridiculous costumes and wigs, along with her outrageous themes, wardrobe, lyrics, addictive melodies and over-the-top performances, became an overnight "talk of the town"! Her first performance was recorded on September 1st, 2001. It was witnessed by a local paper and a massive outdoor audience at a fair called the Sacramento Rainbow Festival. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QukAPQhf24) At first, nobody was sure what to make of her, but before Raquela could finish, the applause was instantaneous. In 2003, Raquela even wrote a full, 2 Act, Electronic Dance Musical called, "Confession's of the Disco Diva". (Written in collaboration with Author/Writer, M. Saylor Billings) But unfortunately, it never got picked up. But by 2008, new recording artists began popping up everywhere, taking on to the idea as well, ultimately crowning Raquela as "Queen" of Theatrical Dance/Pop!
After that, RAQUELA® continued on playing an even larger role in the Dance Music community. For two consecutive week's straight and after thousands of entries, Raquela and D'Sential's award winning Theatrical Dance track, "YOU'RE GONE" hit "Number 1" on the Dance chart at imgifted.co.uk. But on Broadjam.com she hit the "Top 10 Dance" chart for 6 weeks straight with Les Gutaless', "THE FIRE"! To this day, Raquela and Supergroove's 2005 release of the Theatrical Dance track, "Balearic Phonk" continues to receive raving reviews!
RAQUELA's powerhouse vocals has gotten her seen opening for legendary Dance artists like Judy Torres, George Lamond, Stevie B, Luciana and Grammy award winner, Little Louie Vega.
RAQUELA's unique vocal style and song writing skills have been showcased on many releases, including producers', Chris 'The Greek' Panaghi's , "FALLING" who is known for producing and remixing the likes of Gloria Estefan, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion and many more. Following the release of "THIS FIRE OF YOURS", she and Chris reached the 1 spot on the 'Dance Masters World Chart'
RAQUELA® would later team up with world renowned producer and legendary House DJ, MICKEY Mixin' OLIVER! This original HOT MIX 5 artist was recently listed in The London Observer as one of the "10 most Influential DJ's of all time". If you were in downtown Chicago, you would find streets named after him near Michigan and Balbo. Mickey's release of, "NOTHIN' MORE 2 GIVE" received Billboard Magazine's best "Break-Out" for Hot New Club Play.
RAQUELA® can also be seen in over 100 million homes, co-starring on the new television series, "Intensi-T TV", a dance music/travel/variety show filmed from Las Vegas! Check her out on DirecTV (ch. 354) and DISH Network (ch. 9396/9407). Check your local listings! (http://intensi-t.tv)
Currently RAQUELA is in the studio, working alongside producer greats like the Klubjumpers, Steely M., Cary August, Keith Kemper, Matt Sietz, DJP, LA Rush and Qubiq. Her worldwide release for the remake of Taylor Dayne's, "TELL IT TO MY HEART" (on CAPP Records, "Best Of 80's Dance, Volume 3 - #1 80's Dance Club Hits Remixed") has made enough noise to get it maxi-singled on ISV Entertainment's label, now out on CD Baby and iTunes!
RAQUELA® played a key role in launching Children's Theater companies, HIV/AIDS charity benefits and USO show acts.
RAQUELA® is currently a member of ASCAP, AEA and The Grammy's.
She also teaches voice privately.
