Originally from St. Louis MO, now lives and works in Nashville as a musician, piano/voice teacher, music director, songwriter, and actor.
Mark, who holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in piano performance, studied with the world-renowned Dr. Maurice Hinson and Viennese concert pianist Evelyn Mitchell, who studied with Moriz Rosenthal, who was a student of Franz Liszt. Mark was a graduate teaching assistant while working on his master's in the Conservatory at UMKC and has served as adjunct music faculty at Indiana University Southeast, TN Technological University, and Vol State, teaching piano, theory, music appreciation, as well as choral directing.
In his piano teaching, Mark emphasizes a strong classical approach combined with a very successful improv method that he has developed and refined over the years. Whether pop, rock, country, or Christian music, students learn to play in a commercial style very quickly.
Vocally, Mark has great success teaching students to discover and develop their commercial voice with a speech-level approach. Several of his students, including Colton Dixon, have gone on to professional careers in music
A published and award-winning songwriter, Mark also offers instruction in composition and songwriting. He wrote the music and lyrics for the new musical "Come Sing Jimmy Jo" based on the Katherine Paterson novel. Thomas appears regularly at the Bluebird Cafe.
An experienced actor, Mark conducts acting workshops and has led several music/drama camps for students, as well as private acting coaching.
Various professional credits of Thomas' include Actors Theatre Of Louisville, Stage One Theater, Sophie's Theater, NYC, as well as Opryland, Six Flags, Kentucky Opera, Nashville Opera and various dinner theaters. Television credits include ABC's Nashville, CMA Country Christmas (ABC), The Ralph Emery Show (TNN), The 700 Club (TBN), and voice-over work for the Emmy award-winning NPT documentary Women of the Civil War. Featured in numerous commercials, informercials, and music videos, he has also appeared in several feature films and independent movies. He is the lead actor in Casting Crowns’ visual album, a series of eleven music videos which won the 2019 Dove Award for long-form music video.
Mark has a heart for young people and finds it very fulfilling to bring his love for music and the arts, combined with his professional experience to his students. He fosters a love, as well as a confidence, for performing in his students, who can often be heard in recitals, in bands, and at their schools, churches, and in professional settings. Mark Thomas has a heart for encouraging, equipping, and inspiring his students to accomplish their best, enriching their lives through the arts.
