Tom McNichols

A “fearless sport playing military brat” may have best described bass Tom McNichols' childhood in Plattsburgh, NY. The son of an Air Force pilot, Tom didn't sing in a boy choir. However, in high school, on a bet to impress girls, Tom auditioned for the drama club. Over the next four years, he slowly morphed from average jock to drama geek; acting, “singing,” dancing, directing and choreographing his way into college and scholarships.

As college approached, so did Tom's neighbor. She sensed his enthusiasm for performance, and, being a voice professor and music dept. chairperson, offered Tom the idea of “being a singer.” By studying with Ms. JoEllen Miano, Tom was able to gain the ever so slight ability to sing and after four years, received a BA in Theater/Music
Performance from the State University of NY at Plattsburgh. This led to a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Through these years, Tom has also been under the tutelage of John Shirley-Quirk (MM), as well as 9 summers of daily in-residence training with the legendary baritone Norman Bailey and wife, soprano Kristine Ciesinski at their home in Victor, ID.

Now that Tom has his master's degree, he feels compelled to have at least two paragraphs of “official” biographical business: Tom has performed in more than 60 operas, musicals, dramatic theater, and dance productions. While attending Peabody, Thomas was the recipient of both merit and scholastic scholarships and performed frequently as a soloist and chorister around the capitol region. In 2007 Tom won both the Minnesota district as well as the Upper Midwest Regional finals of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and will be competing in the next rounds on stage at the Metropolitan Opera in February of 2008. With Cantus, Tom has been a part of more than 250
performances including solo work with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Boston Pops. Tom has been a member of
the ensemble on 5 of their 9 recordings.

Most notable concert and opera appearances include narrating "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" with the Boston Pops, Osmin in Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail, Simone in Gianni Schicchi, Superintendent Budd in Albert Herring, and Caronte in L'Orfeo, all with the Peabody Opera Theater as well as work with the Baltimore Opera. Oratorio credits include Messa di Gloria (Puccini), Messiah (Handel), Requiem (Mozart), and Magnificat (Bach).

Tom is an active member of AGMA, runs his own small carpentry company - Minor Adjustments Custom Woodworking, and is represented by NUTS Ltd. for work in the voiceover/commercial industries. If he could, Tom would spend all his time water and snow skiing.

For more information about Tom go to www.tommcnichols.com.