Among Thalken’s original scores are Harold And Maude, Was, And The Curtain Rises, and Borrowed Dust. Thalken has also written choral, vocal, and instrumental music. On Broadway, Thalken conducted Victor/Victoria with Julie Andrews and Liza Minnelli, and Gypsy, with Patty LuPone. As a pianist and music director, he has worked with Bernadette Peters, Kristin Chenoweth, Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Michael Crawford. Previous honors include two Gilman & Gonzalez–Falla Foundation Musical Theater Commendations, the Constance Klinsky Award, Meet the Composer Award, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and support from the Shen Family Foundation. He has taught at Yale University and is a graduate of Northwestern University.