Maria Elise Thomas

Soprano Maria Elise Thomas is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She completed her Bachelor of Music degree while on Vocal Scholarship at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she studied with Dr. John Van Cura. She is currently a second year Master student at LSU, studying under Professor Dennis Jesse.

Maria sang the title role in Vanessa this past fall, and the role of Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro in the Spring at LSU Opera. She spent the last two summers at the esteemed Des Moines Metro Opera Apprentice Program. This fall, she will perform Mimi in LSU's production of La Boheme. Maria performed many roles during her undergraduate at Baylor including the title role in Susannah, the title role in Suor Angelica, Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte, and Geraldine in A Hand of Bridge. She performed lead roles with Salado Music Inc, and covered the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors for the Lyric Opera of Waco.

She recently performed a Fundraising concert for the New Orleans Women's Opera Guild Association. Maria won 2nd Place at the Gulf Coast Regional MET Council Auditions in January 2010. Called by critics a “thoughtful, powerful and thrilling” singer, she has been awarded prizes in other competitions, including the Lois Alba Competition, NATS, Entergy Young Texas Artists’ Music Competition and Festival Note d’estate a Campolieto.