Meet Rachel Walker Mason | Songwriter and Musical Theatre Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Walker Mason and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been self employed for more than 20 years, teaching singing, running choirs and doing other music-related projects so it felt like a natural progression for me to create my own umbrella company, Theatre Builders which incorporates my musical theatre work, masterclasses and other theatre endeavours. I have been working with my friend and scriptwriter Eloise Hodder since 2022 and with her I created this company.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Ever since I can remember I’ve been able to see music as colours when I listen to music or compose a song. I’ve since learned that this condition is called synaesthesia and is fairly rare. My parents tell me that I was always writing songs and singing along with the radio as soon as I could talk. I always felt my happiest and most fulfilled when I was singing or writing music so it felt natural to make it my career path.

I have studied music all the way through my life and it has led to a varied and interesting career.

I’m a GRAMMY voting member, the recipient of a prestigious British Citizen Award for contribution to the arts, and was named “a songwriting expert” by BBC Radio Four’s Today Programme.
I’m also the music and lyric writer for new British musical The Circle and winner of the Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize 2023,
When I’m not working in musical theatre I’m writing songs with Grammy, Emmy and Ivor Novello award winners, The Voice UK and American Idol alumni and Oscar nominees.

I’m also honoured to be a mentor for The GRAMMYs, Help Musicians and the Ivor Novello Academy. I was named a Woman Of The Year 2020, am the only British musician to be inducted into the Indie Music Hall Of Fame, and hailed “an inspiration” by Prince Harry. I’m also the youngest person to be made a Fellow of the London College of Music by Professional Achievement and is one of the British representatives for the World Choir Council.

My greatest passion is using music to help with the healing from mental health issues. I already run Lyrical Light which is a songwriting workshop for those struggling with postnatal depression (known as postpartum depression in America) which has been hugely successful.

One of the best lessons I’ve learned is not to be afraid to be who you are. Your uniqueness is what will draw people to you and help you stand out. If you try to be like others you will be masking the things that make you special. As Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken,”.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Eloise Hodder, my partner in creative projects!

Website: Www.rachelwalkermason.com

Instagram: @rachelwalkermason

Facebook: @rachelwalkermason

Image Credits
Kirsty Northover