Denise sits down with world renowned opera singer Kevin Thompson to discuss his career and Juilliard experience.. Originally from Washington D.C. Mr. Thompson is an alumnus of The Juilliard School in New York, San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Merola Program, and the Santa Fe Opera Program.  Mr. Thompson has performed in opera houses and concert venues throughout the world, under the baton of many an esteemed conductor, including Austria, Bulgaria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, South America, Switzerland, and the United States. Thompson has made debuts with New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, New Orleans Opera, Tulsa Opera, Opera Carolina, Bard Opera, National Philharmonic, The Florida Symphony, Opera Santa Barbara, Odyssey Opera, Hannover Staatsoper, Fundación Teatro Nacional Sucre in Ecuador, Teatro Verdi Trieste, Hong Kong Opera, Teatro Regio Parma, Ruse State Opera, Theater Kiel, the Gasteig in Munich, and the Wexford Opera. 

What You Will Hear

• Thompson coming into fruition of his vocal career
• Reminiscing on Thompson’s freshman year of Julliard
• The performance aspect at Julliard
• Thompson’s top 5 characters to voice
• Utilizing Thompson’s humor alongside his vocal talent
• Working alongside Jesse Norman
• Seizing the moment to sing for Grace Bumbry
• Thompson’s taking agency in current career aspects
• Learning the ups and downs of being your own business manager 
• Thompson’s extensive passion for Arts Education
• Hidden talents of being a Chef

Quotes

• “I knew that my talent was my ticket to get me into college.”
• “Stand tall. Stand tall. Stand in your presence.”
• “If you’re playing a villain, the actual character doesn’t think they’re a villain. You find the other elements of the character that are less villainous, because there're so many elements in the human condition and human character. It’s up to us as storytellers to find those nuances in the character.”
• “You have to seize moments in life. They’re not going to be there forever. There are moments that you have to step into your purpose.”
• “The gift is what we have to offer. It is your gift to give to the people and to use it.”
• “Fight for your dreams, because a lot of people will try to talk you out of your dreams.”
• “If we wake up another day, there is a purpose for us to be here.”
• “Faith and fear cannot exist in the same paradigm.”
• “It doesn’t make a difference if it takes you three minutes to learn this role, or if it takes you three to six months, as long as you know the role when you arrive, that’s all that matters.”
• “Fight for your dreams, because the dream was given to you, not another person. They were given to you to manifest them and to give them birth. It’s your job.”

Mentioned

• KevinThompsonBass.com
• Myra Merit - Metropolitan Opera
• Michael Santana
• Suitland High School Center of the Arts
• NAACP Axo Competition
• Paul Ropeson
• Jesse Norman
• Grace Bumbry
• Ames Gros Program in Austria/ American Institution of Musical Studies
• Belmont Glass
• Dr. Carter - Morgan (HBCU)