Thomas Ri.

Hi, my name is Thomas! I'm a performer and teacher and I look forward to starting you on (or continuing you along) your musical journey.

Areas of Expertise:
• Can Read Music
• Play in a variety of styles
• Able to communicate and express musical ideas with ease • 14 years of teaching experience, 20+ years of learning and performing experience • Able to playteach drum-set, snare drum(marching, orchestral) hand percussion, mallets

Experience
• 1993 Drum set and percussionist for the play peter pan.
• 1994 Regular Thursday night gig at the Broadway Rec. Center playing traditional jazz dance songs.
• 1995 Began Playing with a Country Band at local and regional barsclubs.
• 1995-2000 High school Marching, Concert, and Jazz Band, Show Choir Percussionist, Section Leader, as well as several local plays, and garage bands.
• 2000-2004 UNA MarchingConcert Band, Began gigging out of the Muscle Shoals area with different musical groups.
• 2005 Performed with various artists as a free-lance musician.
• 2006-2012 Moved to the TuscaloosaBirmingham area and began playing and recording with numerous groups. Taught Band Camps/Drum Camps Youth beginner group lesson’s with the Alabama Blues Project and Private lessons ranging from beginner’s to intermediate and advanced students. 2012 Judge at Guitar Center's Drum-Off Compitition in Austin, TX.
• I have studied under professionals such as Zoro, Chester Thompson, Jonny Rabb, Chris Frier, Rodger Hawkins, Gary Asher, Mike Dillon, William F. Ludwig III, David Waters, Tom  Sr., Leif Bondarenko, and many more. Will continue to study as long as I am able to.
• 2007-2012 Worked for Pink Box Productions as a Runner, Backstage Manager, Artist Relations, Backline Assistant, Musician, Drum Tech, Merch Table, Ticket Taker, Money Management, and Head Security Officer.
• 2006-2011 Completed a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies with a Minor in Music Performance followed by a Master’s Degree in Music Education.

Other Experience:
I have been able to be a part of Honor Bands such as Shoals area Honor Band, UNA Honor Band, Performed at PASIC Alabama Day of Percussion, Attended several PASIC International Conventions, Competed in state competitions, Performed live with many great artists, as well as hired as a studio musician in Muscle Shoals, Nashville, Birmingham, New Orleans.