Stage Notes

Collaborating with Glee, Nelly Furtado, Disney and the United Nations is like hitting the jackpot in the entertainment world. Yet, Darnell Thomas (BFA ’11, MA ’12), a versatile singer-songwriter, educator, producer and musical theatre director with roots in Canada and the Caribbean, has seamlessly worked with all four, crafting curricula, developing programs and fostering mentorship networks at York University and beyond. His prowess as a vocal teacher and coach attracts students of all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals, with many finding success in radio, film and TV, including American Idol.

He’d be forgiven if he gloated. But that’s not Thomas’s style. During a discussion about his career highs that took place while he was taking a break from recording his debut album, Thomas humbly played down his role in shaping the voices of others. “It’s a team effort,” he insists, choosing to focus on the transformative power of music itself. He sees music as a universal bridge that brings together diverse worlds, genres and cultures, rather than merely spotlighting his individual contributions to his students’ success. Part of what makes Thomas’s vocal art so compelling is rooted in his multicultural upbringing and experiences.

Born in Mississauga, Ont., in 1989, Thomas relocated with his family to St. Augustine, a town in northwest Trinidad and Tobago, during his childhood. This small Caribbean municipality, home to a University of the West Indies campus, became the crucible for his musical development. It was in Trinidad where Thomas first experienced music’s power to build community, an insight that would shape his future career and approach to teaching.

Thomas immersed himself in Trinidad’s rich musical landscape. He mastered the steel pan, explored piano chords and learned to play the cuatro, a four-string guitar that he inherited from his grandfather. His musical repertoire expanded to encompass six instruments and a diverse range from Bach to Brandy. In 2008, Thomas’s talents gained international recognition when he competed in the World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood, winning four gold medals and the Grand Champion of the World Title in the instrumental category.

The conversations, lectures and experiences with professors Burke and Cadó continue to influence how I perform, teach and direct others today

Drawn by Toronto’s vibrant arts scene, Thomas returned to the city, confident in his musical path. He soon collaborated with industry luminaries, including Grammy winner Nelly Furtado and jazz virtuoso Christian McBride. His journey led to projects with the travelling cast of Glee, a show he credits for transforming perceptions of choirs and the music industry. Thomas also contributed to episodes of Disney’s Overruled!, a popular high-school sitcom, and Toronto community theatre productions of hit musicals such as Mamma Mia!, Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, and Hairspray.

As his musical horizons expanded, Thomas pursued academic studies at York University. He earned a bachelor of fine arts in 2011, followed by a master’s in vocal performance and ethnomusicology. Thomas describes his time at York as “formative,” a period that further enriched his musical repertoire and provided a solid foundation for his future career.

During his time at the University, Thomas found invaluable mentors who profoundly shaped his artistic development. Professors Karen Burke (BEd ’99), the current Chair of the Music Department, and Mike Cadó (BEd ’99, BFA ’99, MA ’04, PhD ’13), a Toronto-based guitarist, composer and bandleader, served as his guiding lights. These accomplished educators elevated Thomas’s compositional and choral expressions to new heights. Their profound impact inspired him to pursue a teaching career, aiming to kindle in others the same passion and sense of achievement that they had ignited in him in their respective classrooms. “The conversations, lectures and experiences with professors Burke and Cadó continue to influence how I perform, teach and direct others today,” Thomas says.

Access to art shaped me profoundly. I’m driven to extend that same transformative experience to others

In 2020, Thomas joined the faculty at Sheridan College as a full-time vocal professor and took on the role of vocal-music discipline lead in the Music Theatre Performance Program. He also co-directs The Institute for the Performing Arts, an educational institution in Vaughan that provides training in music, theatre, dance and musical theatre. In addition to his teaching roles, Thomas frequently returns to York University to assist with various productions and mentor students. In 2023, he launched the York University Music Alumni Network to foster partnerships, mentorships and career opportunities for graduates. His vocal coaching has shaped a new generation of musical theatre performers, many of whom have gone on to perform in Mirvish productions and at the Shaw Festival.

Thomas’s career trajectory underscores the impact of early artistic exposure. His commitment to providing similar opportunities for others stems from his own formative experiences. “Access to art shaped me profoundly,” he says. “I’m driven to extend that same transformative experience to others, with the hope they’ll recognize the value in continuing this cycle of support.” ■