Rachel Martens was born and raised in Illinois. She is in her first season with Ballet Quad Cities. She began her training in ballet and pointe at the Faubourg School of Ballet under the direction of Watmora Casey. After Faubourg, she performed and competed with the Visceral Studio Company in Chicago, Illinois.

Rachel recently graduated Magna Cum Lade from State University of New York at Purchase College with a BFA in Dance. At Purchase College, Rachel had the honor to perform works by George Balanchine, Norbert De La Cruz III, Hannah Garner, Rena Butler and Jenelle Figgins. During her junior year she was chosen to study abroad for a semester at Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts performing works by Raymond Chai and Anh Ngoc Nguyen.

Rachel has attended summer intensives at Colorado Ballet, Alonzo King Lines, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, B12 in Berlin and Hubbard Street Dance. She has been teaching and directing ADTC dance camps in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado and virtually since 2017.