Tommy first began playing percussion at his grandparents' request to play "Wipeout" by The Surfaris. From there, he learned to play a lot by ear before he joined the middle school band. Throughout middle and high school, he learned to read music, and performed in Concert Band, Marching Band, Pep Band, & earned medals at Indiana State Competition as part of a Snare Trio.

 

His first band, Solid State, performed classic rock covers at various festivals and events in Central Indiana. Tommy also played in numerous other bands such as Sincerely, Me (pop punk/ emo), Rose Over London (post hardcore), Landmarks (indie), and Sweet & Lowdown (indie/ singer-songwriter) to name a few. He rocked the house as the drummer in the sold out production of Green Day's American Idiot, lulled audiences as a guitarist in The Front Page (Kruger), & serenaded his romantic interest as the lothario in The Club web series (Josh). Tommy also embodied show pieces in full costume for Blue Man Group callbacks. 

 

During college, Tommy studied Copyright Law, Music Theory & Skills, Contracts, Finale, MacGamut, Music History, and various other electives towards his degree (BS, Music Business Administration). He was the Chairman of the Battle of the Bands, responsible for organizing the venue, bands, sponsors, marketing, & various other duties to ensure smooth-running events..

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Tommy studied percussion with Dr. Jimmy Finnie learning various instrumentation including mallets (vibraphone, timpani, marimba) Afro-Cuban drum kit, steel pan (lead, cellos, double seconds), hand percussion, and the coveted tambourine roll. Tommy performed in ISU Steel Band, Percussion Ensemble, under Dr. Finnie's direction, and Symphonic Band with Director Doug Keiser.  

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