THOMAS ALÁAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Critically acclaimed stellar [Chicago Tribune] countertenor Thomas Aláan has been praised for his glorious countertenor voice [Herald Times], heartfelt... soaring sound... and simmering singing [Hyde Park Herald], excellent timing and intonation [Elgin Review), incredible diction and significant and clean upper register [The Post-Journal], and his artful and moving voice of unearthly round tone and singular power [Communities Digital News].
Thomas has performed across the United States as a soloist with dozens of ensembles and orchestras including Alchymy Viols, Ars Antigua, Bella Voce Camerata, Bach Cantata Vespers, Credo, Elgin Master Chorale, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Helios Ensemble, Mountainside Baroque, Musikanten Montana, Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, and Schola Antiqua. He has performed on many regional concert series and festivals including the Boston Early Music Festival, the Bach and Beyond Baroque Early Music Festival in New York, and the Bloomington Early Music Festival. He has sung on WGN Radio (Up Late with Patti Vasquez) and Chicago Irish Radio, and has interviewed with Early Music America, Huffington Post, and 98.7 WFMT. In 2016, he (re)created the role of Patie in Allan Ramsay's opera, The Gentle Shepherd, last seen in North America in 1798.
Thomas is a national finalist in the Classical Singer Magazine Vocal Competition for emerging professionals, and a national semi-finalist in The American Prize for his interpretation of art song. His recordings include Vivaldi’s solo cantata, Stabat mater dolorosa, for Biretta Books, Haydn’s Requiem and Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Elgin Master Chorale and Symphony Orchestra, and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
Outside of singing, Thomas divides his time in Chicago as Executive Director of the Bach and Beethoven Ensemble; as Director of Women’s Schola and Assistant Conductor of Choirs at Holy Name Cathedral; and developing energy and sustainability curriculum at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He teaches private voice, and has presented talks on singing, pedagogy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and entrepreneurship in the arts at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Helena Music Teachers Association, and the Self Employment in the Arts (SEA) Art Business Entrepreneurship Workshop.
Thomas received his M.A. Vocal Pedagogy under renowned author and pedagogue, Joan Wall, at Texas Woman's University, and his B.A. Music Education from Alderson-Broaddus University. He currently studies with Ellen Hargis (Newberry Consort), Mark Crayton and Elizabeth Parker (Chicago College of Performing Arts), and Sheri Greenawald (Director, San Francisco Opera Center). His former teachers include Max von Egmond, Ann Baltz, David Brock, Beverly Hoch, Linda Poetschke, and Lewis Hall.
He loves Starbucks, donuts, and cats.
More about Thomas at thomasalaan.com and chicagovoicelessons.com