The New York Times described Kara Shay Thomson as “a compelling American soprano with a plush, vibrant, powerful voice". Opera News declared her recent Salome as “outstanding - she had no trouble riding the big orchestral climaxes in the final scene…”. Known for her portrayal of roles that are vocally and dramatically challenging, Ms. Thomson’s interpretation of Puccini’s Tosca has been heard in opera houses across the country including Florida Grand Opera, Portland Opera, Atlanta Opera, Utah Opera, Arizona Opera, Kentucky Opera, Dayton Opera, Central City Opera, Intermountain Opera, Opera on the James, Opera Festival of New Jersey and Sarasota Opera. Ms. Thomson recently added the role of Turandot to her repertoire, "Kara Shay Thomson as the Princess Turandot is stunning… one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard” (Broadway World).

Ms. Thomson recently had the opportunity to jump in at the last minute for the role of Marietta/Marie in Opera Colorado’s highly acclaimed production of Korngold’s Die Tote Stadt in February of 2023. She returned to the same stage to sing Turandot for their 40th Anniversary Celebration in May of 2023. Ms. Thomson is thrilled to join the upcoming production of Tosca with Amarillo Opera in October of 2023.

The 2023-24 season highlights include a return to Chicago Lyric for their stunning production of Janacek’s opera, Jenůfa as well as a return to one of her favorite comedic roles, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus with Pensacola Opera. Next summer (’24) she will debut the role of Minnie in Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West with a return to Colorado and Central City Opera.

No stranger to contemporary opera and rarely performed works, Ms. Thomson flourished in the portrayal of The Woman in Schoenberg’s Erwartung with New York City Opera. "Soprano Kara Shay Thomson, in the standout performance of the evening, gave a warm-toned and powerful account of this dynamic and often angular score" (Musical America). Close behind this performance, Ms. Thomson embodied the role of Magda in Menotti’s The Consul with Dayton Opera and Florida Grand Opera. She garnered praise from the South Florida Review who declared that “This role demands a singing actress with extraordinary musical and dramatic gifts. Kara Shay Thomson is riveting, completely commanding the stage in every scene.” As Judith in Bluebeard’s Castle with Opera Omaha and New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago, she triumphed in adding this challenging role and the Hungarian language to her repertoire. Ms. Thomson recently appeared at the Newport Festival of Music where she gave an elegant interpretation of the Henze vocal, wind and string ensemble setting of Wagner’s Wesendonk Lieder. Finally, as Marta in the rarely performed work, Tiefland, by Eugene d’Albert with Sarasota Opera she featured her “grandly scaled, expressive soprano” (Classical Voice North America).