"When I first heard Rachael I was struck by an ethereal quality in her voice. She is at the age now where her tone is rich, her skills highly polished, and now with a delicate touch of soulfulness." ”

— Vince Jones | Australian Jazz Vocalist, Trumpeter, Songwriter

Rachael is just superbly in control of her voice and such a pleasure. I just melt as she holds a note then releases a swelling vibrato. She's a joyous and infectious presence and the technical facility just makes the cake.”

— Canberra Jazz

Rachael has a world-class voice...”

— Alan Hicks - Sydney Conservatorium of Music | ANU School of Music | Vocal Coach, Accompanist & Pianist

Rachael loves music and music loves Rachael. She is fearless, generous, fun to be around and she makes a beautiful sound. ”

— Miroslav Bukovsky - composer | arranger | jazz trumpeter (Wunderlust, Ten Part Invention)

Rachael, you're a goddess! I worship at your musical altar! ”

— Kathy Lette, International best-selling author

"Vocalist Rachael Thoms was sheer class." ”

— Clinton White, Canberra City News

SHORT BIO - PERFORMER

Rachael is one of a new breed of truly versatile vocalist, performer, recording artist and eductor. Accomplished in both jazz and classical performance, she graduated from the ANU School of Music with a BMus Jazz Performance degree with First Class Honours in Classical Performance and a Master of Music majoring in Classical Performance. She is the recipient of multiple awards and scholarships and has appeared as a soloist at many vice-regal and diplomatic concerts around Canberra. She has studied with some of the world's leading voice experts here in Australia and in Europe and has appeared onstage alongside George Benson, Vince Jones, Lior, Peter Cousins and the late Rob Guest, to name a few and can be seen regularly performing in and around Canberra in various bands and duos. Rachael is a highly sought-after voice teacher, style coach and music tutor, and has a unique insight into the technical and stylistic demands of several idioms of music. 

FULL BIO

Rachael Thoms is one of a new breed of truly versatile singers. Accomplished in both jazz and classical performance, she is the only known singer to have graduated from the Australian National University School of Music with a BMus Jazz Performance degree with First Class Honours in Classical Performance and a Master of Music majoring in Classical Performance.

Rachael is the recipient of the first prize in the 2013 Patricia Fagan Operatic Aria, first prize in the 2012 Orange Eisteddfod McDonalds Aria, the Friends of the ANU School of Music Transition Award (Endowment for Excellence), 2011 Canberra International Music Festival Young Performer Award and was a top 100 finalist in ABC’s Operatunity Oz. 

She has appeared as a soloist at many vice-regal and diplomatic concerts around Canberra, and has made a considerable mark on the Canberra live music scene since arriving in 2008.  Her broadcast credits include ABC Television - Bali Remembered, ABC Classic FM Sunday Live, Artsound FM, and ABC 666. In 2011 Rachael released her debut jazz recording, The Great Unknown, with improvising pianist and composer, Luke Sweeting featuring mostly original material. In 2017 Rachael released an EP of jazz standards, Nothing But Blue Skies, with jazz guitarist, Lachlan Coventry. 

Rachael has studied with many internationally renowned professionals in both jazz and classical disciplines including: Janice Chapman (London), David Aronson (Vienna State Opera), Carol Blaickner-Mayo (Vienna), Dominic Wheeler (Guildhall School of Music and Drama - London), Christina Wilson, Alan Hicks, Simon Kenway, David Miller, Geoffrey Lancaster, Sharolyn Kimmorley, Professor Valeria Esposito (Italy), Stephen Delaney (Vienna), Vince Jones, Kristin Berardi, Sara Serpa, Miroslav Bukovsky, and Sandy Evans.

Performance highlights include appearances with:

Song Company, Lisa Moore, Pascal and Ami Rogé, George Benson, Vince Jones, Rob Guest, Lior, Miroslav Bukovsky, Tobias Cole, Matt Baker and Bill Risby. Further highlights include portraying Lady Billows in Caroline Stacey's new production of the Benjamin Britten opera "Albert Herring" at the Street Theatre in 2012 - conducted by Rick Prakhoff, Vier letzte Lieder (Strauss) for Canberra Artsong, featured soloist at the Official Bali Bombing 10th Anniversary Memorial Event at Parliament House (broadcast live nationally on ABC television and radio), featured soloist at the National Film and Sound Archive's C100 (2013) 'Imagining the Capital - Canberra on Film' open air concert, and soprano soloist - "Ode to St. Cecilia" (Handel) ANU School of Music with Paul McMahon (tenor) and Prof. Peter Tregear (conductor). Rachael and her trio performed at the 2017 ACT Australian of the Year Ceremony and 2017 Australian of the Year presentation ceremony at Parliament House. 

Music theatre and operetta roles include; Johanna (Sweeney Todd), Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Josephine (H.M.S. Pinafore), Florence (Chess), Young Heidi (Follies), Cosette (Les Miserables), Mary Magdalene (Jesus Christ Superstar), Side by Side by Sondheim, Yum Yum (Hot Mikado), Sarah (Guys and Dolls), The Witch (Into the Woods - CAT AWARD 'Best Actress in a Musical') & Lucy (Jekyll & Hyde).  

Rachael is a sought-after voice teacher, style coach and music tutor having unique insight into the technical and stylistic demands of several idioms of music. In addition to running her own busy private teaching studio, Rachael is the Jazz and Contemporary Voice teacher on faculty at the ANU School of Music and has taught at several private schools, colleges, and regional conservatoire.  She has also been a sessional music teacher for CIT and NSW TAFE.

Rachael completed her Master of Music degree at ANU School of Music on a full scholarship and subsequently travelled to the UK and Europe for an intensive period of professional development, working with some of the world's leading voice experts.  She is a certified 'voice-nerd' and stays abreast of the latest voice science research, attending conferences and maintaining membership with leading national and international multidisciplinary voice organisations.