Biography

Dr. Shane Thomas is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music in the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University where he conducts the Chamber Choir, Cane River Singers, and the Northwestern Choral Artists. He teaches courses in vocal music education, choral methods, choral literature, and administrates the choral activities within the department. Thomas serves as the founder and artistic director of the Louisiana Vocal Arts Ensemble. He also serves as the Louisiana ACDA College and Universities R&R Chair. 

Thomas spent two years as the Director of Choral Activities and Coordinator for Vocal Music Education at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA where he was responsible for significant program growth and acclaimed for innovative storytelling through choral performance. He created the McNeese Choral Festival and Summer Vocal Camp which brought over 450 middle and high-school students to campus. While in southwest Louisiana, Thomas founded the Louisiana Vocal Arts Ensemble, a new professional chorus committed to sophisticated, relevant choral performance connecting and serving all peoples. 

Prior to his journey in higher education, Thomas served the Director of Choral Activities at Martin County High School in Stuart, FL for five years. Choirs under his direction were repeatedly named “Choir of Distinction” by the Florida Vocal Association and were accepted to perform at state and regional ACDA conferences. He served as the FLACDA Secretary for five years and in Florida Vocal Association District Leadership for three years. Thomas taught private voice to students who have gone on to win professional awards and entry into undergraduate and graduate music programs across the United States. 

Thomas maintains an active career as a clinician, tenor chorister, and professional soloist. He can be found on the rosters of professional choral ensembles such as the Spoleto Festival USA Vocal Fellows, Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble, The Union of Cincinnati, Coro Volante, BWV: Cleveland’s Bach Choir, and the Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas. He was most recently seen as Parpignol in Puccini’s La boheme at the 2022 Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, SC. 

Thomas received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Master of Music in Choral Conducting with distinction from Westminster Choir College, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Stetson University. He holds professional memberships in ACDA, NCCO, NAfME, Chorus America, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

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