Merina Thomas

I speak in standard American. I am also able to perform standard British. I also sing in Italian, German, and French.

I was the child who made the whole auditorium stop and gasp when I spoke my lines in the 1st grade play. I am clear spoken dramatic by nature and have honed my skills through 15 years of theatrical productions. I studied theatre arts for 2 years at the college level before changing majors to vocal music. I received a bachelors degree in vocal performance music in 1999 from Biola University. I continued to perform in musicals for several years and took 6 years off to devote myself to motherhood. Currently, I am a featured artist with the California Opera Association out of Fresno, CA. I am continuing to train my voice through operatic singing lessons and various community theatre productions. Currently I will be playing Mrs. Medlock (Welsh dialect) in a local production of The Secret Garden. And I have just finished playing the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Theatre major at Westmont college from 1993-1995 Bachelor's of Music in Vocal Performance at Biola University 1999 Teacher of music and theatre arts in Texas schools 2001-2004 Currently teach privated voice (singing) lessons Currently a featured artist with California Opera Association I have no professional recording equipment As a teacher, singer, and parent, my voice is my most defining feature. Word emphasis and rhythm is key in speech and singing alike. Due to my extensive vocal studies I have a well developed mastery of coloring my vocal quality according to the needs of the text. I have a strong ability to emphasize key words by using intentional pacing, dramatic use of breath and vocal coloring.