Tom Bankston '74 Operatic baritone who joined the Dayton Opera Association in 1996 and has served as full-time artistic director since 2001, when he assumed responsibility for the selection of artists, creative and production staffs, season productions, and repertory, and who was named general and artistic director in 2004, adding administration to his duties |
On career accomplishments: “The breadth of experience that I received during 19 years at the Cincinnati Opera in the artistic and production/technical aspects, administration and operations, and in education/outreach programming, all gave me practical experience preparing me for my current position at Dayton Opera. It is so fulfilling and challenging now to be charting the course of my own company. …” A particular thrill has been to be a part of the opening of a new performing arts center, the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, and new home for Dayton Opera. I'm also proud to have recently received the 2004 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. It was indeed meaningful to receive this honor |
 Bankston. Above left, interior of Mead Theare in the Schuster Center. Above right, the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. Theatre photos by Andy Snow. |
from one of the United States' most prestigious conservatories, the place where I did my graduate work and the place along with BSC that helped shape my professional life.”
On family: “I am married to Frances Golson Bankston, who is also a graduate of BSC ('73), and our interests center around travel and cooking. We enjoy entertaining and preparing meals together for ourselves and our friends. We have a group of friends with whom we regularly do B&B weekends, and we also make regular trips to New York City and enjoy theater, opera, museums, and restaurants. We also try to get to Europe whenever possible, with a special love for Paris.” |
On BSC: “My time at BSC was absolutely some of the most special of my life, first of all because it was the time when I met Frances, my wife of 31 years, but also because of the musical and life grounding that it provided for me, and for some real “for life” friendships that it has provided. My first opera performing experiences were at BSC, and while the performing side of the business is not where I landed, those quality experiences certainly shaped my love for the great art form that I now produce and promote.” |