RACHAEL THOMS

Biography

Rachael Thoms is a versatile Australian vocalist whose career spans jazz, classical music, music theatre, commercial performance, recording, and collaborative projects. Equally at home interpreting the Great American Songbook and performing classical repertoire, she is recognised for her stylistic versatility, expressive musicianship, and thoughtful approach to performance. She also maintains an active interest in developing original work and collaborating with other artists across a range of contemporary contexts.

A graduate of the Australian National University School of Music, Rachael holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance, First Class Honours in Classical Performance, a Master of Music (Classical Performance), and a PhD in Vocal Pedagogy. Her diverse musical background continues to inform a performance practice that values curiosity, collaboration, and authentic artistic communication.

Throughout her career, Rachael has appeared as a soloist at many of Australia's leading cultural institutions and national events, including Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of Australia, and numerous vice-regal and diplomatic occasions. Her performances have also been featured on ABC Television, ABC Classic, and Artsound FM.

As a recording artist, Rachael has released The Great Unknown with pianist Luke Sweeting, the jazz standards EP Nothing But Blue Skies with guitarist Lachlan Coventry, and has appeared on Andrea Keller's acclaimed release Flicker & Polar Bird. She continues to perform regularly through chamber collaborations, jazz ensembles, and creative projects that explore the intersection of improvisation, storytelling, and contemporary performance.

Alongside her performing career, Rachael remains actively engaged in music education and research. While these areas complement her artistic practice, it is the experience of performing across multiple musical traditions that continues to shape her understanding of communication, interpretation, and the expressive possibilities of the human voice.

SELECTED CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Featured Performances

• Featured soloist at the Official Bali Bombing 10th Anniversary Memorial at Parliament House, broadcast nationally on ABC Television and ABC Radio.
• Featured soloist for the 2017 Australian of the Year presentations at Parliament House.
• Featured artist at the National Film and Sound Archive's Imagining the Capital open-air concert.
• Solo appearances at Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of Australia, and numerous vice-regal and diplomatic events.

Collaborations

Rachael has performed alongside many of Australia's leading musicians and ensembles, including George Benson, Vince Jones, Andrea Keller, Lior, Song Company, Lisa Moore, Miroslav Bukovsky, Tobias Cole, Pascal & Ami Rogé, and Rob Guest.

Opera & Music Theatre

Career highlights include Lady Billows in Albert Herring (The Street Theatre), soprano soloist in Handel's Ode to St Cecilia, Strauss' Vier letzte Lieder for Canberra Artsong, and leading roles in Sweeney Todd, The Pirates of Penzance, Chess, Les Misérables, Into the Woods, Jekyll & Hyde, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Guys and Dolls.

Broadcast & Recording

Rachael's performances have been featured on ABC Television, ABC Classic, Artsound FM, and ABC Radio Canberra. Her recordings include The Great Unknown (with Luke Sweeting), Nothing But Blue Skies (with Lachlan Coventry), and Andrea Keller's Flicker & Polar Bird.