Ms. Thompson joins Fischoff National Advisory Council members Wu Han (concert pianist and Artistic Co-Director of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New York), Paul Katz (noted Grammy-winning cellist and former member, Cleveland Quartet), and others.

Anna Thompson serves as the executive director of the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and fills the endowed Judd & Mary Lou Leighton Director of the Performing Arts at the University of Notre Dame. Thompson came to the University of Notre Dame in July of 2007 after ten years at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (MN) where she unified the fine arts program for these separate Benedictine liberal arts institutions. Prior to holding the position in Minnesota, she served as an arts administrator in Indianapolis for 14 years (Butler University, the Indianapolis Museum of Art). In addition to current oversight of all administration and finances for the Marie P. DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts, she specializes as a curator of performing arts programming and develops interdisciplinary visiting artist residency projects with the Academy. Thompson has commissioned the first new works in music, dance and theater for Notre Dame to tour nationally and internationally bearing the name of the university.

Thompson has commissioned orchestral and chamber works by David Ott; Bruce Adolphe, Eric Ewazen; Simone Shaheen, Wu Man; Terry Riley; Tarik O’Regan; Stephen Prutsman; Steven Mackey; and Augusta Reed Thomas.

Thompson is a frequent lecturer and presenter at regional, national and international performing arts conferences (University of Krakow-Bytom Poland; Silesian Dance Theater Festival (Bytom, Poland); Association of Performing Arts Presenters; Chamber Music America; Arts Midwest; and the Kennedy Center. Among her achievements is the NAPAMA Presenter of the Year Award (2004). She serves locally on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County.

Thompson received her bachelor’s degree from Albion College and her master’s from Western Michigan University with additional studies in educational leadership at Butler University and a certificate in executive leadership from the University of Notre Dame.  Thompson is a member of the International Society for the Performing Arts, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Chamber Music America, Dance/USA and the North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents.

About the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association
Founded in 1973 in South Bend, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, and one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Since its founding, more than 5,000 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.  Committed to music education, the Fischoff also partners with competition alumni to bring free, innovative Arts-in-Education programs directly to children in their own schools and community centers throughout Michiana.

About the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
The DeBartolo Performing Arts Center facilitates learning reflective of the University of Notre Dame’s distinctive liberal arts tradition through the informed exploration of universal truths and beauty. The Center serves to encourage and celebrate the human spirit through the performing and cinematic arts, which connect, stimulate and enrich our communities.