Jonathon J. Thull, 1960-2020

Jonathon J. Thull, a Cornell College voice instructor from 1997–2016, died Oct. 14, 2020, of multiple myeloma. He was 60.

Thull earned his doctoral degree in vocal performance and pedagogy and a master’s degree in opera theatre direction from the University of Iowa. He held a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Minnesota, and a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of St. Thomas. 

Thull, of Iowa City, Iowa, taught at William Penn University, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and Muscatine Community College before arriving at Cornell. His pursuit of student performance opportunities led to the founding of Cornell’s Lyric Theatre in 1998 that evolved and merged into full-scale stage collaborations with Cornell’s Theatre Department. Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre afforded additional opportunities, where he served as stage director, designer, and master carpenter for their Young Artists Program as well as chorus master for several main stage productions. 

In 2005 he joined the University of Northern Iowa as a yearlong voice faculty replacement and served until 2014 in a variety of capacities for its opera program. In addition, he was a voice instructor and taught courses. 

As a baritone, director, and conductor, Thull had more than 75 opera, operetta, and musical theatre credits, including with the Minnesota Opera, Opera St. Paul, North Star Opera Company, and Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. 

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Hagen, parents, three siblings, and extended family.