Artist of the Week: Maddie Thomas, Musical Goddess

If there’s an event or club with singing involved, then senior Maddie Thomas is sure to be part of it. She’s a musical goddess, with both talented vocals and charismatic skills as a leader and friend that have led her to become co-head of the PEADS and In-Essence, a proctor in Browning Hall, a radio show host on WPEA, and a influential member of concert choir.Thomas has always had a talent and passion for singing. “I sang in my old school and I’ve always done singing since I was really little. I took voice lessons before I got here,” she said.Originally from a British family based in Rochester, New York, Thomas’ dad exposed her to the culture of boarding schools, which led her to apply as a new lower. She said, “My dad is very British, so it’s a tradition that kids will go to boarding schools, and that’s why I’m here. My old public high school was fine, but there’s a lot more opportunities in the arts here, especially with all the a cappella stuff. They didn’t have any of that at my old school, so that’s been really important to me.”In an effort to best manage her time in the rigorous Exeter environment, Thomas didn’t initially participate in any musical clubs after arriving on campus. “I got here my lower year and everybody told me not to audition for concert choir because it’s such a big time commitment, so I didn’t audition at all. But I found that as I went through my lower year, I was really missing music, so I auditioned my upper year for the two a cappella groups that year, as well as some other musical clubs,” she said. “PEADS, is co-ed and In Essence is all female, and I just loved them both immediately, each for unique reasons.”Once finding music to be the key to her happiness at Exeter, Thomas approached her role in these clubs with dedication and ambition, becoming co-head of both the PEADS and In-Essence in her senior year. “Especially because of the people that do those clubs, I guess, I found a really tight knit community in my a cappella groups and in concert choir. Being a part of them helped a lot with my transition into Exeter,” she said. “That was my upper year and then I did that for the whole year and loved it, so I applied for the co-head of PEADS and In-Essence, and got the position for both, so that’s the extent of it.”Lower Sabrina Movitz, who sings in two a cappella groups with Thomas, spoke to both Thomas’ vocal abilities and her personal qualities that make her an accessible and respected member of the Exeter community.“She’s one of those people that lights up a room when she walks in, but is humble and funny at the same time. She manages everything beautifully and is my sister on campus in the way that I can talk to her, joke with her, and be myself around her,” she said. “I’ve had some of the best experiences here at Exeter, by her side, dragging ourselves through copious rehearsals or even on tour over this past spring break, walking around New York City together.”Upper Kieran Minor echoed Movitz’s sentiments about Thomas. He said, “Objectively, Maddie is such a versatile personality. She’s got brains, beauty and talent. She manages to balance more clubs than I could ever handle: whether she’s leading the ladies of In Essence, performing for alums in PEADS, or singing solos in the Concert Choir, she manages to do it all without batting an eye.”Thomas’ versatility isn’t limited to her personality; she can transform while singing different genres of music, which include classical Indie, and techno.“I like singing anything. I like singing stuff with a guitar because you can focus on the singing aspect,” she said. “Probably my favorite is alternative or indie type stuff. But I do also really enjoy a cappella music in terms of working with other people to sing without any other instruments.”Lower Kimberly Dawes said that Thomas’ talents as a performer captivate anyone listening to her sing. “She’s an amazing singer. When I went to her E.P. last Tuesday, I didn’t want it to end; I could listen to her sing forever,” she said. “She is so musical, which is something I really admire in her, as a fellow musician. Her ability to arrange the songs for the various a cappella groups is extraordinary.”Dawes also spoke of Thomas’ impressive leadership skills as a proctor in Browning Hall, highlighting her responsibility and sense of duty. “She’s so responsible as a proctor, making assignment sheets for cleaning up the kitchen, ordering dorm gear, and things like that. She’s at the forefront of many things that happen within Browning.”Others in the dorm felt similarly about Thomas’ role as a proctor and a friend. Lower Michelle Ysrael said, “Maddie is awesome. She made the transition into boarding school so much easier than it might have been otherwise, and she’s a great amount of fun. She’s easy to talk to, and absolutely hilarious.”Music has been a focal point in Thomas’ career at Exeter, and she hopes that she will be able to extend this passion for music into college, both formally and informally. “I’m hoping to major or minor in college and continue to sing at open microphone type things wherever I go,” she said. “I’m definitely going to try out for a cappella groups. That makes me really happy, and some of the best people I know here are involved in the musics and arts.”Minor will miss Thomas’ warm personality as she leaves campus next year for college. “She’s taught me to laugh and to laugh at myself. For that she’s made my Exeter experience that much better. I can only hope that she rocks other peoples’ lives in college, as well.”Movitz echoed Minors’ thoughts, saying, “Maddie has left an imprint on me that will never go away, not even after she leaves for college. She’s my surrogate big sister with a great voice and an even greater laugh.”