That was a great decision as I met my husband in that chorus and the conductor introduced me to a wonderful soprano, Carol Gutknecht, a soprano with the former New York City Opera soprano with whom I started studying. I was working in Lynchburg, VA as a Minister of Music and Youth for Fairview Christian Church and I decided I wanted to find a community chorus so that I could continue singing. What drew you to become a professional singer? Was there a specific “Aha!” moment of clarity?Ī. Opera was not a part of my upbringing so my first moment on stage in an opera was as Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi at The New England Conservatory in Boston, MA. My parents continued to foster my musical talent and I was lucky to perform in various venues throughout my childhood and early adult years. Our family offered an evening of song and scripture and it is where I learned how to communicate my message to a congregation. Well, as a PK, I was on stage from a very young age. What was your first moment performing in front of an audience on stage?Ī. We love our neighborhood and having my Dad close by to support us when I am travelling. I returned to Cincinnati 11 years ago and love living there with my husband and 10 year old daughter. I was born in Cininnati, OH but made my home in Rock Port, MO, Fairbury, NE, Terre Haute, IN, and Warrensburg, MO. As a PK (Preacher's Kid), I moved around the Midwest quite a bit during my adolescence.

Where are you originally from and where do you make your home now?Ī. Ĭontinue reading below to learn more about this artist who is so quickly establishing herself as one of the leading ladies of the next generation of great opera singers. Thomson's glorious performances in previous productions at Sarasota Opera both in the title role of Samuel Barber's Vanessa and as Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana. Thomson has performed the role of the jealous diva at opera companies such as Portland Opera, Atlanta Opera, and Dayton Opera. Soprano Kara Shay Thomson returns to the Opera House stage this season as Floria Tosca, a role for which she won popular and critical acclaim in 2009.

Tosca opera sarasota