Aurelia Virginia Bracewell (affectionately nicknamed “Aunty Rio” during her youth) was born in Liberia, West Africa, and the youngest of fourteen children.

During the 1960’s, and the early 1970’s, Ms. Bracewell held several positions with the government of her native country. In 1971, she came to the united to study at Brooklyn Community College, Taylor Business Institute, and the Davis School of Teletex.

In 1975 Ms. Bracewell returned to Liberia to serve as Secretary to the General Manager of the United Liberia Rubber Corporation, and to open a boutiques specializing in dresses imported from the United States and Europe.

In 1978 she returned to the United States to study at the Vineland Academy of Beauty Culture in Vineland N. J., S. Barry School of Voice and Drama and Weist Barron.

From her travels, experience and vivid imagination, Ms. Bracewell has written and composed over one hundred songs, as well as screen plays, short stories and poetry.