This former American Idol finalist is now LI’s go-to Ms. Rachel impersonator

She’s performed over 150 shows since launching the Ms. Rachel Experience in January 2025

Erinn Furey has brought Ms. Rachel to Long Island — and she says her goal is to give every local child a chance to experience the online superstar in person.

The Deer Park resident has built a wide-ranging career in the arts. From performing in local theaters across Long Island to serving as artist-in-residence at Sandcastle on Fire Island’s Cherry Grove, Furey has long been a fixture on the local stage.

She also had a run on the early days of American Idol, making it to the Top 24.

Furey auditioned in Orlando at age 24 after a friend encouraged her to try out for the show’s fourth season in 2004.

“This was during the height of the show,” she said. “That year, 600,000 people auditioned.”

That season was ultimately won by Carrie Underwood, with Bo Bice finishing as runner-up.

“Bo was a friend of mine, and when I was sent home, he told me that he’d take care of me,” she said.

After the show, Bice invited Furey to tour the East Coast with him, where she performed backup vocals and duets.

“My mom will tell you I’ve been singing since I was born,” she said. “I grew up performing on Long Island.”

She performed at CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale and the now-closed Airport Playhouse in Sayville, and began vocal training at age seven, along with dance and acting classes.

“I credit community theater as the start of my career,” she said.

In addition to performing leading roles, Furey also directed children’s theater while pursuing a degree in social work, focusing on children with psychiatric disorders.

“It’s a huge testament to why I can run the Ms. Rachel Experience,” she said.

In step Ms. Rachel

Ms. Rachel (Rachel Accurso) is a widely popular educator and YouTuber known for her toddler-focused series “Songs for Littles,” which blends speech therapy techniques with music and engaging visuals to support language and social-emotional development. Her brand has expanded to include a Netflix deal, toys, books and more.

As a new mom, Furey and her wife began searching for content that would benefit their daughter — and discovered Ms. Rachel.

“We were watching her and my wife said, ‘You can do that,’” she said with a laugh.

Furey studied Accurso’s mannerisms and teaching style, then created and scripted her own live program, designed for libraries, play spaces and birthday parties.

She said it took about a month to develop, test and refine the show.

Unlike typical impersonators, Furey has built a fully interactive experience, engaging children and parents with songs, movement, props, and lessons that incorporate sign language and Spanish.

“Music is such an integral part of a little’s life,” she said. “And to bring a child to a music class with Ms. Rachel, I feel fortunate that I can represent a special human being that most kids won’t be able to meet.”

She also keeps parents in mind.

“I remember the trenches of my daughter being born,” she said. “So if you’re a tired mom or dad, you’ll get 45 minutes to sit, watch and take a breather.”

Since launching the Ms. Rachel Experience in January 2025, Furey has performed more than 150 shows at over 40 venues across Long Island and beyond. She now averages about eight performances a week.

“It has turned into my full-time job — Ms. Rachel has taken over my life,” she said with a laugh.

Furey said “The Ms. Rachel Experience” is trademarked and copyrighted after she established it as an LLC.

“This has been the highlight of my career.”

The 46-year-old still works part-time as a clinical social worker, serves as an adjunct professor at Fordham University, and occasionally performs as herself at local venues. But her Ms. Rachel role has become an unexpected passion.

“I can bring the magic of Ms. Rachel to local families and it’s amazing,” she said. “I never thought I’d be able to make a living off this.”

Her favorite part is seeing the joy it brings to children of all abilities.

“When kids come who have autism or a disability, I know I’m not the real Ms. Rachel, but I am to them,” she said. “I meet all different kinds of people, and at the end of a show I’m so happy. From my point of view, I get to watch grown-ups and littles dance together.”

All photos courtesy of Erinn Furey