Mark-Anthony Thomas: Music Arts Director
What I do
I lead and shepherd the Music Arts Ministry to serve, lead, and grow Vintage Church through Music Arts.
About Me
I was born and raised in the beautiful city of New Orleans! It is impossible to be from here and not be indulged in music every day! Fortunately, most of my family (I’m the youngest of 7!) is musically inclined and it was more of a tradition for us to sing and play instruments rather than be a part of any other extracurricular activities.
My musical journey, outside of singing with the family-choir around the Christmas tree, started at Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church. I joined the youth choir the day after my sixth birthday, and I’ve been in one ever since. At 12, I started leading worship for the weekly youth Bible studies, and at 14 (thanks to Hurricane Katrina), I started singing with the adult worship team and eventually became one of the staffed worship leaders. Leading worship has been a part of my lifestyle for all of my teenage and adult life and is something I thoroughly enjoy doing—exploring God’s heart and finding rest in him. When leading worship, I aspire to encourage others to seek more attributes of God and to truly dwell in his presence; there is always something more to learn about Him!
Outside of leading worship, I’ve sang background vocals on various stages internationally, with critically acclaimed artists such Aretha Franklin, Kirk Franklin, Fantasia, Donnie McClurkin, & PJ Morton to name a few. I have a Master’s Degree in Music with a Vocal Performance/Opera emphasis from Loyola University New Orleans and have performed numerous roles with New Orleans Opera, OperaCreole, Cripple Creek Theatre, New Fangled Opera, and Loyola Opera Theatre. I also am a jazz FANATIC and am featured on two of my best friends’ first projects! I am also a voice instructor at the local performing arts high school, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA).
I enjoy fairly simple things like family, friends, a good book, traveling and most recently, learning to re-love video games! I’m looking forward to connecting with you!