João Soares Rebelo was born in Caminha, Northern Portugal, in 1609. He was the son of João Soares Pereira and Domingas Lourenço Rebelo, which led him to also sign his name as João Lourenço Rebelo. At the age of 15, he entered the service of the House of Braganza, specifically at the College of the Magi, adjacent to the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa. Here, he acquired musical skills and gained recognition under the name Rebelinho. This significant accomplishment was likely influenced by his brother, Marcos Soares Pereira, who became a Chaplain Singer in the Ducal Chapel and later ascended to the position of Master of the Royal Chapel at the Ribeira Palace. The dynastic union facilitated close contact between the Royal Chapel of Madrid and the Ducal Chapel.

In the year 1634, Carlos Patiño, as well as António Balbi and Estefano Limido, were compensated by the Ducal House of Braganza for services rendered. These payments are believed to have benefited the young musician. During the 1630s, Rebelo witnessed the construction of the Music Library by the 8th Duke of Braganza – D. João. The duke enlisted the painter Bernardino del Aqua (1635?) from Madrid to decorate the ceilings with secular and sacred music motifs. D. João, a music enthusiast who engaged in composition and published theoretical works, established a strong connection with Rebelinho over the years. Interestingly, Rebelinho did not seem to hold any official musical position within D. João's circle.

In 1640, with the Restoration of Portugal, the entire court of the Ducal Palace relocated to the Royal Palace in Lisbon. João Lourenço Rebelo accompanied the young monarch, and by 1647, the second floor of the Fort of the Ribeira Palace was prepared to receive the Music Library from Vila Viçosa. Rebelo's efforts significantly contributed to this endeavor, earning him the title of knight from D. João IV, who bestowed various commendations upon him. When D. João IV passed away in 1656, his will indicated that he had ordered the printing of his works in Italy, presenting Rebelo with a copy and instructing him to distribute the remaining copies to music libraries in Spain and Italy. The project materialized partially with the publication of the collection of polyphonic works titled "Psalmi tum Vesperarum, tum Completorii. Item Magnificat, Lamentationes, Miserere" (Rome, 1657).

A few years later, in 1661, Rebelo passed away suddenly at his estate in Santo Amaro (Apelação), near Lisbon. He was buried in the Parish Church of the same locality.