Biography

Clarinetist Michael Thompson brings a modern energy to the performance of classical music. As a freelance performer and teacher in the greater Chicago area, Michael looks forward to what will come next in music and in life.

Though having grown up in Petersburg, KY, Michael has performed with groups across the nation, including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Michael has collaborated internationally as a member of The Arc Project, recorded at the Fresh Inc contemporary music festival, was a finalist in the 2019 George Papich Chamber Music Competition, and performs regularly with small ensembles in the Chicago area.

Not only an accomplished performer, Michael has an active career in teaching. He is currently on faculty at The People’s Music School and Merit School of Music, and further maintains a schedule teaching privately and in public schools. Recently, his students have been accepted to DePaul University, Illinois State University, and Northern Illinois University. Michael received his Bachelor of Music (Summa Cum Laude) and minor in Spanish from the University of North Texas, where he served as an Undergraduate Research Fellow, and Master of Music (with distinction) from DePaul University.

Michael’s primary teachers include Julie DeRoche, Kimberly Cole Luevano, and Jeffrey Carwile. Outside of music, Michael enjoys running and training for races, and the cooking and eating that goes along with it.