RACHAEL THOMS

Rachael is one of a new breed of truly versatile singers. Accomplished in jazz, contemporary popular music, and classical performance, she graduated from the Australian National University School of Music with a BMus Jazz Performance degree, First Class Honours in Classical Performance, and a Master of Music majoring in Classical Performance. She also holds a PhD from the Australian National University and continues her research investigating vocal pedagogy, improvisation, gender and jazz, and more. 

She has appeared as a soloist at many vice-regal and diplomatic concerts, and has performed at many of Australia's great cultural institutions and venues, such as Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of NSE, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Museum of Australia.  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. Most recently, Rachael appeared on the 2023 release, ‘Flicker & Polar Bird’,  from highly-lauded, prolific jazz composer and improvising pianist, Andrea Keller. 

Rachael has learnt from many internationally renowned professionals across multiple disciplines, including: Janice Chapman (UK), David Aronson (Vienna State Opera), Carol Blaickner-Mayo (Vienna), Dominic Wheeler (UK), Christina Wilson, Alan Hicks, Simon Kenway, David Miller, Geoffrey Lancaster, Sharolyn Kimmorley, Professor Valeria Esposito (Italy), Stephen Delaney (Vienna), Michael Mayo (USA), Vince Jones, Kristin Berardi, Sara Serpa (Portugal), Miroslav Bukovsky, Sandy Evans, Gian Slater, Michelle Nicolle, and Chris Johnson (UK). 

Performance highlights include appearances with: 

Song Company, Lisa Moore, Pascal and Ami Rogé, George Benson, Vince Jones, Andrea Keller, the late 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),  2017 ACT Australian of the Year Ceremony and 2017 Australian of the Year presentation 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. She currently lectures in Jazz & Contemporary Voice, Performance, and theory and aural skills at the Australian National University 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 PhD and Master of Music degrees at ANU School of Music on full scholarship, and is recipient of the several prestigious awards and prizes including the Friends of the ANU School of Music Transition Award (Endowment for Excellence), 2011 Canberra International Music Festival Young Performer Award, and top 100 finalist in ABC’s Operatunity Oz.  

Rachael is available for collaborations, performances, recording sessions, and voice-over work across Australia. 

Let’s create something amazing together!

PERFORMING PROJECTS

RACHAEL THOMS TRIO

With Lachlan Coventry (guitar) & Christopher Pound (bass) 

Informed by a shared jazz pedigree, the Rachael Thoms Trio specialises in creating soulful, sophisticated playful, intimate live music performances that defy genre, style and time. 

THE FRINGE OF SQUAREDOM

A collective of Canberra's finest musicians, founded by Rachael Thoms (vocals) and Tom Fell (saxophone). With years of combined industry experience, The Fringe of Squaredom can cater their performance to any event, including sophisticated jazz and unforgettable showcase concerts. 

Featuring; Christopher Pound (bass), Nicholas McBride (drums), Ben Foster (keys) 

Special guests include; Ben Marston (trumpet), Lachlan Coventry (guitar), Sinuhe Pregnan - Pacheco (percussion)