About Me
Dr. Thomas Swenson holds degrees from Minnesota State University (BM, Piano Performance), the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (MM, Piano Performance), and the University of Oklahoma (PhD, Piano Pedagogy). While pursuing graduate degrees he gained valuable experience as an instructor in Applied Piano, Group Keyboard, and Music Theory. Additional advanced studies in Piano Performance, Choral Conducting, and Composition have been through the State University of New York at Stony Brook, the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, the Van Cliburn Piano Institute (as a teacher-performer), and the Classical Music Festival (Austria). His primary teachers include Jane Magrath, Charles Rosen, Barbara Fast, Howard Lubin, John Salmon, Olga Gross, Nancy Harris, Jean Hegland and Jerry Rubino. Additional lessons, coachings, and master class performances have been with Ann Schein, Alicia de Larrocha, Gilbert Kalish, William Black, Ned Rorem, Andrew Willis, and Joseph DiPiazza.
At the Music Academy of North Carolina (formerly the Greensboro Music Academy) Thomas honed his skills as a piano teacher and developed his passion for teaching. Researching piano methods, practice strategies, educational psychology, and piano literature further ignited this passion for Piano Pedagogy while increasing his teaching effectiveness. Swenson’s students were soon recognized in local and statewide music events. As a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, through MTNA, he currently teaches a number of pre-college and adult piano students from throughout the state. Many of his students have received scholarships to enhance their lessons at the Music Academy of North Carolina, attend summer music programs, and pursue music degrees at prestigious conservatories and universities. Former students include a Grammy-nominated pianist (directing contemporary music programs at Walt Disney Hall) and a professional accompanist for the New York City Ballet Company and Staatsballett Berlin Dance Company. Other former students who have chosen to pursue music as a career lead extraordinary lives teaching and sharing their artistry.
Thomas’ current appointment at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts includes teaching the entire curriculum of Keyboard Musicianship courses for undergraduate music majors. At the Music Academy of North Carolina he served as Chair of the Piano Department, Director of the Accelerated Program, and Artistic Director of an annual Piano Festival and Competition. At Salem College he served as Director of the Center for Musical Excellence (a community music school) and taught both traditional and innovative courses related to technology, arts entrepreneurship, and popular culture. Thomas also directed the Keyboard Area and taught advanced Music Theory courses at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. For nearly 20 years Swenson has been a Piano Instructor at the largest music camp in the USA, held at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Although Dr. Swenson’s research and teaching often take priority over performing, he continues to perform as a piano soloist, with his piano duet partner Ellyses Kuan (“Zwei & Zwanzig”), as a collaborative pianist, and in church services. Dr. Swenson frequently serves as an adjudicator, master class clinician, presenter, and consultant to individuals and organizations.
Recent presentations include a lecture-recital on Gabriel Grovlez’ 1911 collection L’Almanach aux Images; Preparing Students for Competitions, Festivals, Auditions, and Recitals; and Assessing Adult Piano Students. Other areas of interest and research include music theory (he has served as an evaluator for the AP Music Theory Exams), arts entrepreneurship (co-founder of the Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education), effective practicing, composition, and intermediate teaching literature.
In his free time, Thomas enjoys playing tennis, composing (mainly music for church use), walking his dogs, cooking, biking, and spending time with friends and loved ones.
Although Dr. Swenson’s research and teaching often take priority over performing, he continues to perform as a piano soloist, with his piano duet partner Ellyses Kuan (“Zwei & Zwanzig”), as a collaborative pianist, and in church services. Dr. Swenson frequently serves as an adjudicator, master class clinician, presenter, and consultant to individuals and organizations.
Recent presentations include a lecture-recital on Gabriel Grovlez’ 1911 collection L’Almanach aux Images; Preparing Students for Competitions, Festivals, Auditions, and Recitals; and Assessing Adult Piano Students. Other areas of interest and research include music theory (he has served as an evaluator for the AP Music Theory Exams), arts entrepreneurship (co-founder of the Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education), effective practicing, composition, and intermediate teaching literature.
In his free time, Thomas enjoys playing tennis, composing (mainly music for church use), walking his dogs, cooking, biking, and spending time with friends and loved ones.
Dr. Thomas Swenson is available for workshops, presentations, master classes,
lecture recitals, adjudication, and consultation. Please contact him at tswensonnc@gmail.com.
lecture recitals, adjudication, and consultation. Please contact him at tswensonnc@gmail.com.