It’s hard to believe, but when the Pacheco sisters first started their music careers, they didn’t really enjoy music. At least not as they do now.

“My mom started me out on piano in third grade. It was really frustrating,” senior Rachel Pacheco said.

Her sister, sophomore Julie Pacheco, started piano when she was in second grade. She didn’t enjoy it at first because of the type of music she had to play. “We weren’t allowed to quit though,” Julie explained.

What started out with piano, led to a numerous amount of other instruments. “Once we took up other instruments it got more interesting,” Rachel said.

Rachel now plays three different instruments and has experience with the saxophone. Julie can play nine instruments, and four different kinds of saxophones.

What would have happened, though, if the girls were allowed to quit and end the music at the piano lessons? “Well, I probably would have been more involved in sports and had a totally different list of activities than I have now,” Julie answered.

Why they play so many instruments and enjoy music so much is clear. Julie admires the many different types of music and different ways to express herself. “Music improves self-confidence and helps to relax,” Rachel added.

Of course there’s always disappointments but they know how to deal with it. They understand every musician has a bad audition and it’s just something they have to deal with.

Rachel recalls, “When I was younger I didn’t expect to make this one audition. So I was prepared for the results.” She believes that being aware of your faults helps to ease the disappointments.

Finding time for all of the music is tough since they’re involved with so many different instruments and other music related activities.

“It’s hard when you’re in so many activities. It’s hard to find time when you’re at a concert or if you’re performing. We’ve missed so many practices,” Julie said.

All of the hard practices and long rehearsals put into their musical interests have paid off. Both girls have received many awards.
The highest honor for Rachel has been her acceptance to the region band. Julie is a semi-finalist this year for the Pennsylvania Governor’s School, which is an accomplishment in itself. She won’t find out the final results until May.

Both sisters received the award of Most Talented Musician when they were ninth graders at Maple Point Middle School.

Another memory that sticks out in the girls’ minds is when they both won awards at Dorney Park’s Music in the Parks. At the same festival, Rachel won Best Accompanist and Julie won Best Soloist.

There is no competition between the two talented sisters. In fact, they sometimes practice and perform together. “Sometimes we’ll do duets together or she’ll accompany me,” Julie said. One time, they even played together in the Maple Point talent show. It was a piano routine that even included choreography.

Music has led Rachel to an interest in music technology, which she plans on majoring in college.

“I don’t know where I’m going yet though,"she said, "I’ve had several auditions already and my first choices are Duquesne and the University of Hartford.”

Julie knows exactly what she wants “to play on Broadway in the pits.”

Their relationship is different than most others. Because they share a similar fascination for music, they have the support and encouragement from each other that only a sister plus a fellow musician could provide.