Jewish musical newcomer Rachel Millman stepped into the limelight with her debut CD single, “Throwin’ Rocks At The Moon.” It has a catchy beat and displays her true talent, along with all of the other songs on her album, titled If I Believe. Her voice is beautiful and her lyrics inspirational. Born and raised in the small town of Springfield, N.J., Rachel always dreamed of being famous. Her talent and perseverance are finally paying off as she climbs the long ladder to stardom. One major lesson for all of us who come from small towns and have big dreams like Rachel can be learned from her journey: Don’t let where you come from get in the way of where you want to go. Reach for your dreams and never give up. I got the chance to ask Rachel a few questions about the path she’s traveled and where she’s headed next. You can also enter to win an autographed copy of her album.

What genre is your music?
My music definitely is of the pop-rock genre. I truly believe it’s a good mix of both!

You have a beautiful voice! Was it a struggle to prove yourself to those around you since you come from such a small town?
First of all, let me say thank you! Second, yes—it was a bit of a struggle for me to prove myself, coming from the town that I did. Throughout my entire middle school and high school [theater] experience, I was constantly competing with other girls for parts, and sometimes it was very frustrating. However, I never let it get me down—I always told myself it was important to keep moving forward and working hard and one day it [would] pay off. And it is!

What was your biggest obstacle on the way to stardom?
Stardom is a pretty surreal thing for me to think about at this point in my career. I’m not really sure if I’ve reached stardom just yet, but it’s definitely a goal!

What’s your biggest inspiration for songwriting?
At the moment, all of the songs I’ve recorded have been written by other incredible songwriters.  While I didn’t write any of them myself, being a part of the development of the songs was very important to me, as I wanted to make sure they each were a representation of how I want to appear as an artist. As I go through this journey, I’m beginning to hone my skills as a songwriter.  I do keep a journal, and every so often I write poems, which I draw from personal experience. I could never write about something I haven’t experienced firsthand or didn’t value personally.

Do you have any advice for our readers who aspire to follow in your artistic footsteps?
Be yourself! Always, always be true to who you are. Trust your instincts. Keep those around you who support you and love you, and make sure to appreciate those very people. Follow your dreams and your heart. Stay positive. Work hard and never give up.

How did your Jewish upbringing play a role in your development as a singer?
I attended Hebrew school when I was very young up until the age of 13; I always loved to learn new Jewish songs and prayers. Singing along during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services is something I hold very dear to my heart. When I was 15, I began singing “When You Believe” during the Yizkor services at my synagogue year after year. I’m happy and grateful that my congregation embraces my talent and allows me to be a part of the services. Having that opportunity also helped my stage presence at a young age. As I start to think more and more about songwriting, I imagine that my songs will be influenced by all the different genres of music that I love, from pop to rock to hip hop to the music I sang in synagogue while growing up. They are all a part of me.

Enter to win an autographed copy of Rachel’s debut album.

Gabbie Wynschenk is a high school junior. She’s the vice president of membership for the Connecticut Valley Region of BBYO. She loves writing and art.