In her youth, the first instruments Rebecca Schmoyer played were clarinet and drums. As a teenager she performed live in New York as a singer, and a drummer and percussionist. Then, in need of a portable, affordable harmony instrument, she took up the guitar.

Rebecca founded the avant noise rock band 5chin400 with bassist/composer Paul Geluso and drummer Michael Lopez in New York, who were then joined by guitarist Steven Sicher. During the 1990s 5chin400 traveled in the U.S. and toured in the Czech Republic, Germany and the Netherlands. They released the EP Hey God, Stop Pushing! on Erl/Footlong records (to rave reviews from then Flipside Magazine which hailed it as “a whalebirth of a record that will leave you begging, that is gasping, for more”). A second pressing of the record is now available at deptex.com. Later in the decade, 5chin400 released Fugue State, a blistering full-length vinyl LP, which is available here.

Rebecca was featured as vocalist and guitarist on “In the Dark” with Steven Sicher and Paul Geluso, released via New World of Sound. In addition, she recorded and toured with Aquartet, a jazz group comprised of Schmoyer, Geulso and Lopez joined by Sabir Mateen on tenor sax, clarinet and flute. The group has released two CDs: Aquartet One and Aquartet Two, on Riveting Music Works, Albany, NY. These are available through Downtown Music Gallery, New York.

She also plays classical guitar and has performed in master classes with guitarists Dominic Frasca, Laura Oltman and Ana Vidovic.

Rebecca is currently a member of the Harry Partch Ensemble.