Dr Rachael Thoms

2026 Choral and Vocal Adjudicator 

Dr Rachael Thoms is a Canberra-based vocalist, educator, and researcher with extensive experience across classical, jazz, and contemporary vocal idioms. She is an alumnus of the Australian National University, holding a Bachelor of Music (Honours 1st class), a Master of Music, and a PhD. Her doctoral research focused on evidence-based and inclusive approaches to vocal pedagogy and performance. Rachael has enjoyed a sustained performance career spanning over three decades, working as a soloist and ensemble artist across recital, orchestral, choral, and contemporary performance settings. Her work includes performances at major cultural institutions, concert series, and festivals, as well as collaborations with leading Australian musicians across classical, jazz, and contemporary fields. She has appeared as a featured soloist in live performance, broadcast, and recording contexts, with credits including ABC Television and ABC Classic, and has released multiple recordings as a solo artist and collaborator.

Rachael has over 15 years’ experience in higher music education and was formerly a Lecturer in Voice at the ANU School of Music, where she taught classical and contemporary voice, aural and theory skills, and performance practice, and served as Convenor of the Performance Major. She currently holds an Honorary Lecturer and Researcher appointment at the Australian National University, where she continues to conduct and publish research stemming from her PhD, alongside her professional teaching and performance practice.Her approach as an educator and adjudicator is grounded in clear, constructive, and encouraging feedback, with an emphasis on vocal health, musical communication, stylistic integrity, and confident stagecraft. She values fairness, consistency, and transparency in assessment, with commentary designed to supports learning and artistic development while recognising the dedication of competitors, teachers, accompanists, and conductors.