Meet Our Director

Duke Thompson, DMA, is a recognized teacher, performer and music administrator. Before receiving his Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance from Arizona State University, Thompson also studied at the University of Maryland (both College Park and Baltimore County campuses), Peabody Conservatory of Music, Columbia University, and Ithaca College. As well, he studied under Nadia Boulanger in France and at both the Aspen Music Festival, and the Brevard Music Center.

As a pianist he has performed throughout Canada, the United States and in Japan to rave reviews. His playing has been featured on National Public Radio in Canada and the United States. His piano playing has been described as “passionate and exciting.” Of his CD Greatly Gershwin, released in 1998 during the centennial year of George Gershwin’s birth, Frankie Gershwin (sister of George Gershwin) exclaimed that the playing on the CD is “Powerful, even more so than George’s playing”. Dr. Thompson has performed as soloist with orchestras throughout North America including the Edmonton Symphony, the Susquehanna Symphony, and the Red Deer Symphony. In 2001, he produced a live CD recording for the legendary harmonica player Harp Dog Brown which has found great success throughout North America.

As a teacher, Dr. Thompson has received numerous awards for curriculum development and teaching effectiveness. He received the very rare “100% Positive Rating” from his students at Red Deer College (Alberta, Canada), many of whom have won scholarships and prizes. As chairperson of the music department there, he restructured the program to great effect and benefit for faculty, students, and the community. His mantra of The CPR Advantage (Clarity, Passion, Relevance) and the Community Performance Program he has developed are some of what Duke Thompson brings to Harford County.