Terri Thomas

My Story

Terri Thomas was born in the USA but grew up in Southern Africa where, as the daughter of wildlife photographers she spent most of her youth in the African bush. Then much to her parents surprise instead of pursuing, as one might expect, a life in conservation or photography she announced she’d be an Opera Singer!

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Terri graduated with a B.Mus. in Opera Performance from the University of the Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Emigrating to the UK she sang with a variety of small opera companies including English Country Opera, while also working as a music librarian at Glyndebourne Festival Opera. 

Returning to the USA, she continued her performing career with multiple companies including NJ State Opera, West Side Opera NYC, Golden Shore Opera NJ, Monmouth Symphony Orchestra and American Musical Theatre. She taught early childhood music and singing for Westminster Conservatory of Music at Rutgers University, NJ. 

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Her career expanded to encompass a diversity of performance and presenting experiences ranging from Television, Film, Theatre, Voice Over and the Arts in Health arena. She was the Executive Director of the Black Box Theatre in Asbury Park NJ and the Community Arts Director for the Monmouth County Arts Council, NJ and served on the jury panel for the Garden State Film Festival and the MTA Music Under New York.  

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As an advocate for inclusivity and accessibility Terri is a member of Audio Description in the Arts which provides audio description services to Blind and low vision theatre patrons in Northern Oregon and Washington state.  She has audio-described shows for Broadway Across America, BANFF International Film Festival, Portland Center Stage, Portland Repertory Theatre, Portland Revels and Portland Opera.

When she’s not doing one or all the above, she channels her creative energy and expression into writing. Her collaborative exhibition ‘Beyond Words’ featuring artist’s responses to her poetry, was displayed at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, Pegasus Gallery, Alsea Public Library, the Benton County Historical Society, and other venues in Oregon.

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Terri is thrilled to be part of the NPAF and to support its mission and vision of a community and festival that encourages confidence, self-actualization, healing and the development of practical skills. Since the earliest civilizations music and the arts have been integral parts of cultures and communities, fostering social cohesion, healing, religious rituals, entertainment, communication, as well as being a powerful tool for protest and social change. I look forward to the magic of arts-in-community we’ll create together!