Instructor
Greg Thomas received his bachelor's degree and Master of Music Education Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is entering his 4th year on the JMU faculty where he teaches instrumental arranging, improvisation, and conducts the Jazz Band. Before coming to JMU, Mr. Thomas taught for 34 years in the Albemarle County Public Schools system, including 26 years as the Band Director at Albemarle High School. During his tenure as a public-school band director, Mr. Thomas was twice recognized by the UVA chapter of Phi Delta Kappa as the "Outstanding Teacher." He was selected as "Charlottesville's Best Teacher," by C'Ville Magazine and was named "Jazz Educator of the Year" by the Charlottesville Jazz Society. In 2021, Mr. Thomas was honored to be inducted into the VBODA Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to music education in the state of Virginia. Under his direction, the Albemarle High School Band was recognized seventeen times by the VBODA as a "Virginia Honor Band." His jazz band was a three-time finalist at the Savannah Jazz Festival and a nine-time winner of the Chantilly Jazz Festival. He has presented multiple times at the state Virginia Music Educator Association conference on the subject of creativity in the instrumental ensemble. Mr. Thomas is a member of VMEA, VBODA, Phi Mu Alpha, and is in demand as an adjudicator and clinician around the state. Mr. Thomas has been an active performer all over the United States, and has performed with Gladys Knight, Dee Dee Belson, Big Ray and the Kool Kats, The Temptations, and other national and regional acts. His true pride, however, is his wife of 35 years, Veronica Price-Thomas, and their three children: Price, 34, Lauren, 30, and Carmen, 25.
Chuck Dotas
Professor, Director of Jazz Studies
dotascj@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Sam Suggs, Bass
Associate Professor
suggsss@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Emre Kartari
Instructor
kartarle@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Oliver Scott
Instructor, Jazz Piano
oscott961@gmail.com
Greg Thomas
Instructor
thoma3gp@jmu.edu
Stephen P. Bolstad
Professor, Director of Bands
Ensemble Area Coordinator
bolstasp@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Foster Beyers
Assistant Professor
Director of Orchestras
beyersfj@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Chuck Dotas
Professor, Director of Jazz Studies
dotascj@jmu.edu
Contact Information
W. Bryce Hayes
Associate Professor, Associate Director of Choral Activities
hayeswb@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Scott Rikkers
Director of the Marching Royal Dukes, Assistant Director of Bands
rikkersd@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Kevin J. Stees
Professor, Conductor of the JMU Brass Band
steeskj@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy
Associate Professor, Director of Choral Activities, Coordinator of Voice Area
vanderjx@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Nieves Villaseñor
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Director of Pep Band
villasnx@jmu.edu
Yi-Ping Chen
Instructor, Conducting
chenyc@jmu.edu
Contact Information
Greg Thomas
Instructor
thoma3gp@jmu.edu
