Meet the Teacher

While a teenager I performed in Drum Corps, advancing to the Drum Corps International Championship finals for three straight years as a member of the Schaumburg Guardsmen.
I attended Montana State University where I performed in the symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, symphonic band, and percussion ensemble. Majoring in K-12 music education, I learned how to play and teach all of the band and orchestra instruments, and studied composition and arranging. In 1982, I performed in the Grand Opening Ceremonies of Epcot Center in Florida as a member of a 450 piece college marching band assembled by Disney. I graduated from Montana State in 1985, earning a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and a K-12 teaching certificate.
Over the years, I’ve worked as a private music teacher, music arranger, and music videographer. I’ve also created computer software programs for writing and teaching music.
Since 2003, I have been a teacher at Suburban Music in Wheaton, where I teach individual music lesson to students of all ages. In addition to teaching piano and all of the band and orchestra instruments, I have also taught bucket drumlines and group hornlines. My teaching style emphasizes the development of music reading skills and proper instrumental technique while encouraging students to progress at their own pace. I frequently write music for my students to play, always adjusting the level of difficulty to the skill of the individual student. Through my many years of teaching, I have learned that the goal of becoming a fine musician can be achieved by determined students of all ages who have the passion and drive to put in the time and work to develop the craft of playing a musical instrument.
After moving to Bartlett Illinois in 2015, I set up Mr. Tom’s Music Studio in my home, while continuing to teach at Suburban Music in Wheaton. I provide Bartlett area residents with local music instruction while also offering many of the services of a music store through Suburban Music in Wheaton.