Dr Rachael Thoms is a singing voice specialist and educator with over 25 years’ experience in voice teaching and 17 years in higher music education. She holds an Honorary appointment at the Australian National University School of Music and brings a deep, evidence-informed approach to voice training.

Rachael holds degrees in jazz and classical performance, alongside a PhD in vocal pedagogy. During her tenure at ANU, Rachael designed, created, and lectured a first-year Aural and Theory course, contributing to a significant curriculum innovation that reimagined how foundational musicianship skills are taught to contemporary tertiary students.

Her professional training includes Estill Voice Training® Levels 1 and 2, Accent Method Breathing, and certification as a Vocal Health First Aider (VHE). She is an active member of multiple professional voice associations, and her work sits at the intersection of research, pedagogy, and professional practice.

Rachael works with singers of all levels, specialising in intermediate to advanced vocal development, and has a particular interest in supporting older adults who wish to explore or return to singing later in life. Her teaching is grounded in a biopsychosocial approach, integrating vocal technique, musicianship, and the personal, psychological, and social contexts that shape how people use their voice.

She also works with professional voice users—including teachers, public speakers, instructors, and presenters who rely on their voice in demanding occupational contexts. Rachael has experience working as part of multidisciplinary teams to support voice users recovering from injury and those seeking to improve vocal stamina, efficiency, and long-term vocal resilience.

She is available for private lessons, group seminars, workshops, and keynote addresses, both in person and online.

LESSON ENQUIRY FORM

SINGING VOICE EXPERT 

Rachael is a passionate teacher delivering a considered mix of vocal pedagogy, performance techniques, music theory, improvisation techniques and music business fundamentals.  Her voice training philosophy spans the teachings of Janice Chapman, Accent Method Breathing, Estill Voice Training Method, Bel Canto and is guided by current findings in voice science. 

Students are guided through (as required) -  

  • vocal anatomy and function
  • breath management and flow
  • optimising postural alignment
  • style coaching
  • improvisation/creative interpretation 
  • music theory
  • functional piano
  • aural training
  • sight-reading
  • stagecraft and artistry
  • songwriting 
  • microphone technique, live sound fundamentals and equipment advice

VOCAL HEALTH 

Rachael is a qualified Vocal Health First Aider. Vocal Health First Aiders have an understanding of vocal health and the factors that can affect vocal wellbeing. Vocal Health First Aiders have the practical skills to spot the signs of a range of vocal dysfunction and imbalance. Vocal Health First Aiders possess the knowledge to help someone towards recovery by guiding them in self-management, or passing them on to further support, whether that is specialist vocal rehabilitation coaching or clinical treatment. Vocal Health First Aiders have an understanding of how to prevent vocal health issues from occurring in the workplace.

Rachael currently refers students with a perceived issue or deficit to consult with the appropriate specialist.

Specialist consultants commonly required for vocalists include;

  • GP - medical doctor
  • Laryngologist/Ear Nose & Throat Specialist
  • Speech Pathologist
  • Remedial Massage Therapist 
  • Physiotherapist
  • Psychologist 

Memberships & Affiliations

Rachael is a member of ANATS - the peak body for teachers of singing in Australia. Our membership encompasses classical and contemporary teachers, classical and contemporary singers, voice practitioners (such as Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists and Speech Pathologists) and interested members of the community.

Voice Connection in Sydney Australia is a multidisciplinary team of specialists dedicated to providing comprehensive analysis, diagnosis and treatment of vocal disorders within a holistic framework.

Rachael is an Honorary Lecturer and Researcher at the Australian National University School of Music. For information about the School of Music, events & concerts, undergraduate study and post-graduate research visit: http://music.anu.edu.au

Rachael is a member of APRA AMCOS. APRA AMCOS has 90,000+ members who are songwriters, composers and music publishers. APRA AMCOS licenses organisations to play, perform, copy, record or make available members’ music, and distributes the royalties to members. They also advocate on behalf of music creators' rights and the Australasian music industry locally, nationally and internationally.

Rachael is a member of the Australian Voice Association - Australia’s leading multidisciplinary association for Voice. The AVA began in 1991. It is an umbrella organisation for all involved in the care of the human voice including speech pathologists, singing teachers and voice teachers, ENT surgeons, voice scientists and other professionals and amateur voice users.