Music director from Palatine redirected art-making online with Thursday Facebook 'Lessons'

Award-winning music director and conductor Tom Vendafreddo knows how disheartening it is being unable to make art.

Like his fellow actors, designers, writers and directors, the Palatine native has been sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic that shuttered theaters around the country. Like many of them, he redirected his art-making online.

The Fremd High School graduate created “Thursday Lessons (Live),” a weekly show that streams at 2 p.m. Thursdays on Facebook. It consists of a 10-minute vocal warm-up followed by discussions on topics such as preparing for auditions, healthy singing habits and tips from writer/producer Ron Kellum (Cirque du Soleil, Paramount's “Jesus Christ Superstar”) on how to maintain mental, physical and spiritual health.

“There are a lot of people who would like to engage in a conversation about the arts,” said Vendafreddo, 34.

And not all of them are artists.

Kellum, a longtime colleague, inspired the sessions by encouraging Vendafreddo to be of service to others. He thought to himself: “The world is shutting down. Doctors and nurses are risking their lives at hospitals. I'm stuck at home. What can I do?”

Vendafreddo came up with “Thursday Lessons (Live),” which has attracted viewers (more than 1,000 for Kellum's segment) from around the country and abroad, Vendafreddo's Italian relatives among them.

Vendafreddo attributes his love of music to his paternal grandmother, who as a girl, sneaked out of her house for voice lessons. As an adult, she sang along with opera recordings while cooking dinner for the family, including young Tom. Her son, Vendafreddo's father, played accordion with a 14-member accordion orchestra. His mom's side was musical as well.

As a youngster, Vendafreddo preferred T-ball to music. But that changed at age 7 when he heard the Palatine Children's Chorus singing carols at the Christmas tree lighting. A year later, Vendafreddo joined the choir. Piano lessons, community theater and high school musicals followed.

Vendafreddo entered the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music intent on becoming a famous tenor and teacher. That was not to be.

“I knew deep down in my heart I wasn't going to become the next great classical tenor,” laughed Vendafreddo, whose professional acting credits include “Tommy” and “Rent.”

Returning home, he filled in as choir director at a Lake Villa high school after the regular director went on maternity leave. He took over after she elected not to return. He says teaching high school students was not all that different from working with adult theater pros. Both appreciate a leader who's well-prepared, respectful, compassionate and has a sense of humor.

“You gain their respect because they know you know what you're talking about and that you respect them, the work they're doing and the life they're living,” he said. “It's the same with professional actors.”

After taking time off to get his Masters of Fine Arts from San Diego State University, Vendafreddo resumed teaching at a Chicago elementary school. He also served as music director for Bohemian Theatre Ensemble's “The Spitfire Grill,” which earned him his first non-equity Jeff nomination.

Other jobs followed, including at Paramount, where he worked on “In the Heights” and “Mary Poppins” with the late director/choreographer Rachel Rockwell.

“I learned from the best ... I was like a sponge soaking up everything. She knew I was a kid ... but she made me feel comfortable,” he said.

“She and (Paramount artistic director) Jim Corti shaped who I am as a music director,” he said, adding “what a gift.”

Corti knew the then 20-something would rise to the challenge.

“It did not take long for him to master not just music directing but conducting an orchestra,” Corti said of Vendafreddo, who received nine Jeff nominations in eight years, winning the music direction award for Paramount's 2017 revival of “Sweeney Todd.”

“I'm gratified to have found him,” Corti said, “and I'm grateful for the contributions he's made over the years.”

Thursday Lessons (Live) with Tom Vendafreddo

When: 2 p.m. Thursdays

Where: On Facebook at facebook.com/tommy.vendafreddo or on Instragram @tvendafreddo

Upcoming topics include: A panel discussion with casting directors from Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles; a class on “The Business of Being an Actor,” including information on taxes, headshots, resumes, thank you letters and agencies; a discussion of the role of the music director/conductor in musical theater