Phillipa Thomas studied music at the University of York, winning the University Concerto Prize. Following her MA, she continued her training at Birmingham Conservatoire where she gained first place in the institution's prestigious Singing Prize.

In 2017 Phillipa's performance of Carmen for Dulwich Opera Company was described as “the best Carmen I've seen since Maria Ewing… at Glyndebourne in the '80's.” (Louise Flind - Opera Today). Other recent roles include Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro, East London Opera), Dorabella (Così fan tutte, Dulwich Opera Company), Giovanna (Rigoletto, Nevill Holt Opera) and Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus, Fulham Opera Young Artist).

Recent solo engagements include Bach's Cantata No.48 (RPO under Ben Pope), Duruflé's Requiem (Bristol Choral Society under Hilary Campbell) and Mahler's Symphony No.2 (Kings College, Cambridge, under Stephen Cleobury). Phillipa has recently finished recording alto solos for numerous oratorios as part of a project with the professional ensemble Blossom Street Singers. Previously performed works include Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb, Dvořak's Mass in D, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Requiem, Mozart's Requiem, Purcell's Come ye Sons of Art and Vivaldi's Gloria for various Choral societies in the UK. In 2018, Phillipa was invited by the KM Conservatory in Chennai as a Visiting Western Lecturer in Classical and Contemporary Vocal Studies.