Hybrid vocalist and singing voice specialist Rachael Thoms is a graduate of the Australian National University School of Music (Bachelor of Music (Performance - Jazz), Honours First Class (Performance - Classical), Master of Music (Performance - Classical)). She is the recipient of multiple awards including the 2012 Friends of the ANU School of Music Transition Award (Endowment for Excellence), the 2011 Canberra International Music Festival Young Performer Award, and was a top 100 finalist in ABC’s Operatunity Oz. Rachael's interests include vocal pedagogy, voice science and the development of hybrid vocal technique and performance.

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 member of the Australian Voice Association, Australia’s leading multidisciplinary association for Voice, and ANATS, the peak body for teachers of singing in Australia.

For more information about Rachael, her teaching, current performing projects and more visit her website: http://rachaelthoms.com