BIOGRAPHY

Karla Thomas is a soprano from Augusta, Georgia, currently pursuing her Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Memphis under the tutelage of Dr. Paulina Villarreal.

During the University of Memphis Opera’s 2024–25 season, Thomas is performing in the chorus of The Most Happy Fella and previously appeared in the chorus of The Rake’s Progress in collaboration with Opera Memphis. She also performed as Rose in Street Scene for the University of Memphis Scenes Program.

Her past stage credits include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Pirates of Penzance, and La Bella Dormente nel Bosco with Georgia Southern Opera. She has also performed in musical theater productions, including West Side Story and Footloose with Davidson Fine Arts Theatre.

On the competition stage, Thomas was a third-place winner in the Southeastern Regional NATS competition, a finalist in the SERNATS American Negro Spiritual category, and was a participant in the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition, North Carolina District. Currently, she is preparing to compete in the George Shirley Vocal Competition in May.

A passionate advocate for African American and African diaspora composers, Thomas actively researches and performs their works to highlight their contributions to classical music. Her research examines the intersection of spirituals and minstrelsy, exploring their complex historical and cultural influences.

Thomas earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Georgia Southern University, where she studied with Dr. Arrika Gregory. During her time there, she performed in productions, recitals, and masterclasses, including working with renowned soprano Dr. Louise Toppin at the Singing Down the Barriers Institute.

In addition to her vocal pursuits, Thomas has a background in dance, with training in ballet, jazz, and tap. She has also served as a dance captain for multiple stage productions.

Beyond performance, she is deeply committed to arts advocacy and community outreach. As service chair for the Gamma Theta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, she helped establish the Gamma Theta Instrument Drive, which continues to support music programs in the Statesboro area. She currently serves as the Director of Media Ministry at Adonai Ministries Church of The Holy Spirit.