RACHAEL THOMS

 I'm a vocalist, band leader, composer, educator, researcher, and vocal coach based in Canberra, Australia. My work draws on over three decades of performance and teaching experience, together with ongoing research into vocal pedagogy and voice science. Whether I'm working with singers, professional voice users, or other voice teachers, my aim is to combine evidence-informed practice with practical musicianship to support healthy, sustainable, and expressive voices. 

My work sits at the intersection of voice science, musicianship, performance experience, 
and individualised coaching.

I believe effective vocal development involves more than technique alone. Singing is shaped by the interaction of physical function, musical skills, personal experience, confidence, motivation, 
and the environments in which we perform and communicate.

Drawing on over three decades of performing and teaching experience, alongside ongoing research in vocal pedagogy, I work with singers as individuals rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. 
My role is to help each singer better understand their voice, develop practical skills, 
and build sustainable habits that support their long-term goals.

Whether working with recreational singers, developing artists, professional voice users, or voice teachers, my aim is to combine evidence-informed practice with 
practical musicianship to create meaningful and lasting growth.

Performance Experience

Performing across jazz, classical, contemporary music, opera and music theatre has taught me that every musical style places different demands on the voice. These experiences continue to shape the way I approach vocal development and artistic expression. 

Research & Scholarship

My doctoral research in vocal pedagogy reinforced that singing is influenced by far more than vocal function alone. My teaching considers the interaction between physiology, musicianship, 
psychology, identity and performance. 

Lifelong Learning

I continue to invest in professional development through mentoring, specialist courses, conferences, webinars and industry programmes. Rather than following a single methodology, I integrate ideas from multiple evidence-informed approaches to support each individual singer. 

Individualised Teaching 

Thirty years of teaching has taught me that no two singers learn in exactly the same way. 
Every lesson is shaped by the individual rather than a predetermined method. 

Collaborative Voice Care

As a Vocal Health First Aider, I work within my scope of practice and collaborate with speech pathologists, ENT specialists and other health professionals when additional support is needed.