Thomas Cooley

Thomas Cooley serves as Visiting Associate Professor of Music specializing in Voice and Historical Performance at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, where he holds appointments in both the Historical Performance Institute and Voice department. An internationally acclaimed tenor with a two-decade career, he has performed across 30+ U.S. states and at premier venues including Carnegie Hall, Berlin Philharmonie, and Walt Disney Hall.

His artistic focus centers on Baroque vocal repertoire, particularly as a leading interpreter of Handel and J.S. Bach's Evangelist roles. Cooley's performance practice integrates historical performance techniques with contemporary vocal artistry, specializing in operatic roles (35+ productions) and oratorio traditions. His work emphasizes authenticity in 18th-century music through collaborations with period-instrument ensembles.

Cooley maintains significant artistic partnerships with conductors including Nicholas McGegan (100+ collaborations), Helmuth Rilling, and Donald Runnicles, performing with orchestras such as New York Philharmonic, Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. He has been featured at major festivals including Göttingen and Halle Handel festivals, and served as principal artist at Munich's Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz (2002-2006).

His discography spans 20+ recordings on Deutsche Grammophon, Sony, and Avie Records, with an upcoming 2026 release of Bach's St. Matthew Passion under Nicholas McGegan. Current institutional affiliations include collaborations with Thomanerchor Leipzig, Dresdner Kreuzchor, and Handel and Haydn Society.