Vanessa Tompkins has been captivating audiences with her extraordinary vocal talent since she was a child. Born to Jack and Maria Tompkins, Vanessa's parents fondly recall their three year old singing Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus" in grocery store aisles during Easter, a testament to her natural affinity for music and deep-rooted faith. Recognizing her gifts early on, they enrolled her in the esteemed Gulf Coast Youth Choirs, where her journey in the performing arts truly began.
At just five years old, Vanessa made her debut as a soloist on the prestigious Morsani stage of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. This early experience ignited her passion for the arts and solidified her desire to pursue a career in music. As a soprano soloist with the Gulf Coast Youth Choirs, she was frequently featured and notably performed the Gospel Mass at the age of 13 during a national tour. The exposure to high-caliber works nurtured her artistic soul and deepened her love for classical music.
Understanding her desire for even more intensive training, Vanessa sought the private tutelage of Blake Leopold at the age of 13. Under his guidance, she honed her skills in bel canto technique, focusing on operatic works, classical musical theatre, and art songs. Her debut performance with Mr. Leopold garnered a standing ovation, and her talent became evident to all who witnessed her artistry.
During high school, Vanessa participated in numerous prestigious competitions, including the Sarasota Opera Competition, where she became the youngest singer to be admitted and won a Merit Award. Her remarkable performance caught the attention of Lee Dougherty Ross, who invited her to perform in her renowned concert series, Friends of Sarasota. Vanessa also competed in the Classical Singer competition, earning accolades from esteemed faculty and advancing to the finals in New York.
Vanessa also laid the ground work to be accepted into prestigious music schools such as Indiana Jacob’s School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, and Miami University Frost School of Music. However, she chose to pursue her music education in a Catholic setting, accepting a generous music scholarship from Ave Maria University. There, she embarked on a rigorous curriculum of music and academics that included private lessons, concerts, master classes, musicianship, music history, music theory, theology, philosophy, history, math, English, and, biology. Under the mentorship of international soprano Maria McDonnell, she further developed her understanding of bel canto technique and optimal singing techniques.
Throughout her time at Ave Maria University, Vanessa was frequently featured as the soprano soloist in significant works such as Mozart’s Requiem, Haydn’s Missa Brevis, and Fauré’s Missa Brevis, collaborating with members of the renowned Naples Philharmonic. Her enchanting portrayal of Desdemona in Verdi’s opera *Othello* led to an offer for the title role of Bess with Opera Naples.
Vanessa triumphantly acquired her bachelors of music degree from Ave Maria University and was accepted into the world renowned Indiana Jacobs School of Music on scholarship for her masters degree in vocal performance.
Vanessa has also made notable television appearances as a soprano soloist. She was chosen by Patrick Cassidy, known for his musical compositions for the movie *Hannibal*, to premiere his original works, "Laudamus Te" and "Ave Maria," during the unveiling of Martin Varo's renowned sculpture, *The Annunciation*, which marked Vanessa’s first appearance on television.
Vanessa has also collaborated as a soprano soloist with Broadway legend and "The Godfather" star, Franc D'Ambrosio, to present select duets and solo numbers to an audience of one thousand at the prestigious Ritz Carlton, where she continues to perform.
Vanessa's credentials grew even further as she took on leading roles such as Susanna in *Le Nozze di Figaro*, (which is the largest role in operatic history for a female singer), Pamina in *Die Zauberflöte*, Yum Yum in *The Mikado*, and Kate in *Kiss Me, Kate*, for which she received a star award from the faculty of the Tarpon Springs Theatre community. She has also portrayed principal leading ladies in theatrical works like *The Man Who Came to Dinner* and Shakespeare's *As You Like It* and *Much Ado About Nothing*, following rigorous studies with Shakespearean scholar Dr. Travis Curtright.
In addition to her stage work, Vanessa has appeared as a leading lady in films and television through LiteWave Media and Gabrielle Messenger Films. These studies have enhanced her knowledge of character development and advanced language studies, skills she applies when interpreting characters in opera, designing concert series, or teaching her students.
Her passion for the arts extends beyond performance; she is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians. Having taught private voice and piano since 2014, Vanessa imparts her love for faith and music to her students, providing them with excellent techniques she learned from Metropolitan Opera mega-stars such as Sherrill Milnes, John Fiorito, and Stella Zambalis. Her students have gone on to achieve recognition in competitions and have been awarded top prizes, receiving accolades from prestigious organizations like Broadway World.
Vanessa has fostered her entrepreneurial spirit by promoting her concert series and performing for private events, collaborating with Robin Stamper, the Artistic Director of Opera Tampa. She has also collaborated as a soprano soloist with Opera Tampa, the Opera Tampa Singers, and the New Century Opera Singers. All of her entrepreneurial engagements have been received by doting audiences.
Dedicated to her weekly cantoring position at Christ The King, she brings her powerful voice to enhance the spiritual experience of the congregation for Masses, weddings, funerals, and private events, driven by her deep love for the Lord and a desire to share His grace through music. On singing in church, Vanessa jokingly says, “I’ve come a long way since my grocery aisle days!”
With her remarkable talent, dedication to her students, and love for the arts, Vanessa Tompkins continues to inspire and enchant audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music and performance.