American baritone Bradley Thompson joined the faculty of Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2003 and has served as Director of Vocal Studies since 2010. Dr. Thompson’s students have appeared with the Arvada Center, Boulder Opera, Empire Lyric Players, the Boulder Symphony, Loveland Opera Theatre, and the Central City Opera Ensemble and have received recognition in the Boulder International Voice Competition as well as other competitions sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and Classical Singer magazine. He has given invited presentations in Bolzano-Alto Adige, Italy as well as at universities in the United States. He is in demand as an adjudicator and evaluator, having done so for organizations such as Colorado Humanities, Classical Singer magazine, and the Orfeo International MusicCompetition. Dr. Thompson has also served on the faculty of the Orfeo Voice Institute in Vipiteno, Italy.
Bradley Thompson is perhaps best known to audiences for his operatic performances. Carol Rasmussen of the Boulder Daily Camera calls his "a strong, attractive voice with agility and range." His repertoire displays a great deal of versatility in a wide range of both comic and dramatic roles. One of his repeat engagements with Opera Colorado was called "expertly delivered" by the Rocky Mountain News. He has also appeared with companies such as Utah Festival Opera, Capitol City Opera Company of Atlanta, Opera Fort Collins, and Opera Theatre of the Rockies. His repertoire spans over one hundred performances of some thirty different roles, but he is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the demanding title role in Verdi’s Falstaff. The Colorado Springs Gazette writes, “As Papageno the bird catcher, baritone Bradley Thompson was the funny
and charming centerpiece.”
Dr. Thompson is also celebrated for his notable work on the concert and recital stages and has performed in venues from the Rocky Mountains to the Italian Alps and from Coors Field to Carnegie Hall. He has appeared as part of the Orfeo Music Festival (Italy) as well as with the Colorado Symphony, the Denver Philharmonic, the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the Boulder Philharmonic and other orchestras in the region. He appeared as a part of the prestigious Colorado Mahlerfest and was the featured soloist for the opening concert of the Boulder Bach Festival. Dr. Thompson was also invited as a guest artist for the renowned 121st annual Bethany Messiah Festival. His oratorio credits include performances of the St. Matthew Passion, Messiah, Carmina Burana, King David, The Creation, and the title role of Elijah. He has also
presented recitals of Filipino art songs in concert halls on the US west coast. An avid performer of new music, Dr. Thompson has premiered several works including David Kirtley’s chamber opera In the Father’s Garden and other works written specifically for him.
Bradley Thompson has been a Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and was the grand prizewinner in the 2001 Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition. He was awarded both the Galen and Ada Belle Spencer Voice Fellowship and the Frank and Gina Day Voice Teaching Fellowship at the University of Colorado. In 2004, he was the Gold Award winner in the Scammon International Voice Competition. A native of Norcross, Georgia, Dr. Thompson received his undergraduate degree from Furman University (magna cum laude) where he was inducted into the national society of Phi Beta Kappa. His post-graduate education continued at the Florida State University and the University of Georgia where he was awarded the School of Music Director’s Excellence Award. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado where he studied with Patrick Mason. In 2009, he was one of twelve voice teachers selected internationally for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Intern Program where he studied with renowned pedagogue Dr.  Scott McCoy. He received training as an
apprentice both with Opera Colorado and the Utah Festival Opera and now serves as both a Touring Artist and a Teaching Artist with Central City Opera. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Fraternity for Men in Music, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Bradley Thompson resides in Thornton, Colorado with his wife, soprano Michelle Diggs, and their two precious daughters, Lucy and Anna.