24 May 2026 l ACT l "The Diaphragm Delusion: Rethinking Breathing in Singing" with Dr Rachael Thoms
- ANATS
- 32 minutes ago
- 2 min read
May 24, 2pm to 4pm (AEST UTC +10)
Register today: https://events.humanitix.com/the-diaphragm-delusion-anats
The Diaphragm Delusion challenges the most common misconceptions about breathing in singing, and how to build a functional and dynamic breath management system without confusing metaphors. Participants will gain clarity and confidence to ditch the myths and teach what works.
This workshop will be presented by Dr Rachael Thoms.
Rachael is a vocalist, educator, and researcher specialising in evidence-based vocal pedagogy. She holds a PhD in vocal pedagogy from the Australian National University and brings almost three decades of teaching experience, including over 15 years in higher music education. An experienced conference presenter, Rachael regularly delivers professional learning for singers and voice teachers.
Trained in both classical and jazz performance, she brings a nuanced understanding of the stylistic and technical demands of multiple performance contexts. She has completed voice teacher training with Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher of Vocal Process, and is trained in the Estill Voice Model. She has also studied with internationally renowned voice pedagogues Janice Chapman, Dr Jean Callaghan, Ron Morris, Chris Johnson (UK), Michelle Nicolle, Gian Slater, Kristin Berardi, Kate McGarry (USA, Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method), Grammy-nominated Michael Mayo (USA), and Australian jazz-legend Vince Jones, as well as leading vocal coaches including Alan Hicks, Simon Kenway and David Aronson (Vienna State Opera).
She has performed as a soloist at many major Australian cultural institutions, with broadcast credits including ABC Television and ABC Classic FM. Her performance work includes appearances alongside artists such as George Benson, Vince Jones, Lior, Andrea Keller, Steve Barry, The Song Company, Erin Helyard, Lisa Moore, and the late Rob Guest. Her recording work spans original and improvisation-led projects, including The Great Unknown (2011), Nothing but Blue Skies (2017), and Andrea Keller’s Flicker & Polar Bird (2023).
Rachael’s research and teaching advance a biopsychosocial framework for vocal pedagogy developed through her doctoral research, supporting teachers to address technical, cognitive, and contextual factors in singing through practical, evidence-informed strategies.
