Biography

Clarinetist Michael Thompson brings a modern energy to the performance of classical music. Currently an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and a freelance performer and teacher in the greater Chicago area, Michael eagerly looks forward to what will come next in music and in life.

Though having grown up in Petersburg, KY, Michael has been a member of groups across the nation, including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago (Chicago, IL), the University of North Texas Wind Symphony (Denton, TX), the Fillmore Wind Band (Cincinnati, OH), and as a two-time member of the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra (Hot Springs, AR). Michael can be heard performing soprano, bass, contra-alto, and contrabass clarinets on recordings by the UNT Wind Symphony, UNT Symphonic Band, and the Lone Star Wind Orchestra.

As a finalist in the 2019 George Papich Chamber Music Competition Competition, participant in the 2020 Fresh Inc contemporary music festival, and currently an international collaborator in The Arc Project, Michael has had an equally varied career in chamber music. Michael continues to seek out new performance opportunities, venues, and groups.

With interests stretching outside of the realm of classical music, Michael performed for two years with the UNT Chinese Music Ensemble, playing dizi (bamboo flutes), sheng, and Beijing Opera-style percussion.

Not only an accomplished performer, Michael is an active teacher in the greater Chicago area. He is currently on the clarinet and music theory faculty at The People’s Music School, woodwind faculty at the American Music Institute, and further maintains a schedule teaching privately and in public schools. 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 rock climbing, running, and baking (and eating!) bread.