michael.thompson@peoplesmusicschool.org

Clarinetist Michael Thompson currently serves as The People’s Music School’s Instrument Inventory Coordinator and as a clarinet faculty member. As a freelance performer and teacher in the Chicago area, Michael eagerly seeks out opportunities to share his music with audiences and students alike.

Though having grown up in Petersburg, KY, Michael has been a member of groups nationwide, including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, the Fillmore Wind Band, and the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra.

As a finalist in the 2019 George Papich Chamber Music Competition Competition, participant in the 2020 Fresh Inc contemporary music festival, and member of several international chamber music collaborations, Michael has had an equally varied career in small ensembles and solo performance.

With interests stretching outside of the realm of western 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 served as an Undergraduate Research Fellow at the University of North Texas and received Second Prize in the 2019 North Texas Music Entrepreneurship Competition. He received his Bachelor of Music and minor in Spanish from the University of North Texas and Master of Music from DePaul University.