Hello! My name is Thomas Wharton. I am a percussion instructor and music arranger from Michigan, and I’ve worked with competitive ensembles all around the country. I currently live in Macomb, Michigan, where I am the Assistant Percussion Director at Dakota High School. In addition to instructing the Dakota Marching Band and Indoor Drumline, I arrange percussion and wind music as well as run a thriving private lessons program at Dakota. Outside of Dakota, I am a front ensemble instructor at The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps and Cap City Percussion, two of our nation’s premiere world class performing ensembles.
My teaching history spans many programs. Notably, I directed Lake Orion Percussion from 2022-2023, helping the ensemble achieve our first ever state championship in the PSO class, as well as earning multiple MCBA medals with the Marching Band program. Additionally, I have taught at Redline Percussion, Apex Percussion, Hastings HS, Ferndale HS, Lamphere HS, Plymouth Canton Educational Park, and Southgate Anderson HS.
In my heyday as a performer in the marching arts, I marched at Lake Orion High School, Northcoast Academy (2015-2017), The Cavaliers (2015), Carolina Crown (2016), and Cavaliers Indoor (2018). I am forever grateful to the many wonderful people who have taught me at these organizations.
I hold a BA in Philosophy from Oakland University. While at Oakland, I minored in music and performed with the Percussion Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Steel Band, World Music Ensemble, and Oakland Symphony Orchestra. Currently, I perform in local bands and orchestras when able!
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