Piano with Thomas G.

Thomas began playing the piano when he was three, had a private teacher at age seven, and studied in high school at Jordan College of Music, Butler University. When he began his music studies at Ball State University, he learned that he could also sing! He earned his Master’s degree at University of Bridgeport, and returned to Ball State for a Doctor of Arts in Voice. His postgraduate education continued winning a fellowship at Aspen Music Festival (Fiora Contino, Margaret Hillis and Charlene Archibeque), Clare College Cambridge (where his teachers included John Rutter, Sir David Willcocks and Stephen Cleobury), The Britten-Pears School (Hugues Cuenod) and a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities to Mozart’s Worlds in Vienna. Thomas shared that studying at Clare College Cambridge, deciding to remain in London, and teaching at the Hall Mead School gave him an opportunity to broaden his horizons. He developed a close relationship with British composer Dal Strutt, who composed several pieces for his voice and sang premieres of Strutt’s work at the Greenwich Festival, the British Music Information Center, All Saints Society, Essex, and other venues around London. The guitarist Martin Vishnick invited him to sing songs by the Renaissance English composers John Dowland and Thomas Campion on his recitals. Thomas performed as soloist with the Capella Singers, Ramsey Singers, and the Pink Singers, as their soloist in West Berlin for Hans Eisler’s “Die Mutter.” Thomas sang the first performances of John Rutter’s “Shadows” for voice and guitar, with guitarist Ramona Hartmetz in Kansas City as well as Rutter’s “Mass for the Children” with the Philharmonia of Kansas City. He served as baritone soloist for Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, KC, and on tour in Salzburg, Paris, Florence, Westminster Abbey and the cathedrals of Christchurch, St. Mary’s, Southwell, Ely, St. Patrick’s, St. Davids, Birmingham, Wells, Bristol, Worcester, Exeter and Norwich. After singing opera throughout his college years, his first ‘professional’ opera was “Die Fledermaus” at New Haven Opera. Lyric Opera Kansas City hired Thomas in 1981 for the chorus of “Fidelio” and the rest is history! One hundred plus shows, and counting! *** Lesson Details *** I am a laid back teacher with a great sense of humor. You will also learn a lot of music theory and music history from me! My lessons begin with some training in reading music (Music Theory) and I suggest that you purchase Alfred's Music Theory Volume One or Two depending on your level of understanding. After refreshing your music reading and rhythm skills, we will listen to you sing and begin to vocalize. I will develop exercises just for you, to help you develop your voice, making it stronger and more flexible. When you have warmed up your voice with vocal exercises, we will work together on the music you wish to learn. It could be a song, an aria, a Broadway or Opera aria, or a religious piece. *** Studio Equipment *** Large 30 foot living room with two pianos, music stands, keyboard, couches, seating area. Mac computer, multiple cameras and great sound system. *** Specialties *** Classical Bel Canto (beautiful voice) style, operatic singing, Broadway style, Art Songs (Lieder in French, German and Italian.)