"Who knew guitar could
sound this glorious?"
(University of Chicago Magazine, Katherine Muhlenkamp)
“Equally brilliant and worldly” (Art Forum International, Northern Soul)
“Outstanding—skilftul technique, beautiful repertoire, and sensitive interpretation. This fine artist will be invited back.” (Gloria Collins, Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia, presenter)
Thomas Flippin
"Classical guitar genius"
(Duke Performance series, Duke University, presenter)
The American classical guitarist Thomas Flippin, who is also a published composer, is a faculty member at the Music Conservatory of Westchester in New York. He is a prize winner in several national guitar performance competitions including those of the National Federation of Music Clubs, the Olga and Paul Menn Foundation, and East Carolina University.
He also performs as half of Duo Noire, which was formed soon after he and Christopher Mallett became the first two African-American guitarists ever admitted to the Yale School of Music (the duo’s name is French for both “black” and “quarter note”).
Thomas graduated with honors from the University of Chicago with degrees in both law and music. At Yale, where he completed his graduate work, he studied with Benjamin Verdery and was invited by the Dean of the Music School to be one of six “outstanding performers from the graduating class” to be featured in the annual commencement concert.
Among notable venues where he has performed are the Norfolk Music Festival, The Aspen Music Festival, Yale’s Guitar Extravaganza, The Kitchen and the 92nd Street Y in New York City, the Blind Ear Music festival at the Juilliard School, and the International Guest Series of the New England Guitar Society. He has performed with such diverse talents as soprano Alicia Hall Moran, jazz pianist Jason Moran, and Lisa Kaplan of Eighth Blackbird.
He has given premier performances of works by Benjamin Verdery and Raymond Lustig, and his own compositions have been performed at universities, festivals, and guitar societies around the United States.
His teachers, in addition to Benjamin Verdery at Yale, have included Denis Azabagic, Julie Goldberg, masterclass participation with Eliot Fisk, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and the Canadian Guitar Quartet.
"An extraordinary performer with a great audience rapport--they loved him!" (Patricia Fahy, Windsor Art Center, CT, presenter)
"A wonderfully engaging, natural, and dynamic performer...a triumph in every way....Bravo!" (Benjamin Verdery, Yale University guitar department chairman)
"Transitions so artistically created, thanks to the subtle magic of Thomas Flippin's classical guitar." (Destination Chelsea, Friday Night in the Kitchen)
"His own composition, 'Neverland', was the highlight of the evening. Flawless execution and charming!" (Ingram Marshall, Yale University composition professor)
"Well-presented performance, brilliantly conceived." (Willie Ruff, Yale University professor of jazz)