About Jackson
Originally from Carrollton, MO, Dr. Jackson Thomas is a conductor, composer, clinician, educator, and vocalist based in the Kansas City area.
Conductor/Educator/Clinician:
Jackson serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO where he previously served as the Assistant Director of Choral Activities/Opera Director. At UCM, Jackson leads the choral ensembles. In addition, he has taught the following undergraduate and graduate courses: Choral Conducting, Choral Techniques, Choral Literature, Aural Training, Choral Arranging, Experiencing Music, Opera Workshop, Student Teaching Supervision, Kodaly Conducting, and Applied Voice. Other previous teaching positions include the Upper School Choral Director at the Pembroke Hill School, a Middle School Choir Director for Kansas City Kansas Public Schools and Kansas City, MO Public Schools, and an Elementary Music Teacher for the Park Hill School District.
He is the Founder and Artistic Director of KC VITAs, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the continued creation and performance of “contemporary-classical” vocal music. Under his direction, the organization has brought nearly 100 world premiere performances to Kansas City audiences since 2015, and was recently named as a Semi-Finalist in the Petrichor International Recording Competition and a current Semi-Finalist in the 2023 American Prize for Choral Performance. The organization continues with the mission of helping composers through innovative performances, recordings, and publicity with a focus on lifting up the voices of marginalized composers. Jackson is also the director of the Northland Community Choir and the former director of the Schola Cantorum of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. As a church musician, Jackson has served in a variety of capacities, most notably since 2015 as Director of Choral Music at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Lenexa, KS where he oversees the music for the Traditional service, directing the Chancel Choir, Orchestra, and Bell Choir.
Equally comfortable with working with groups of all ages and abilities, Jackson is a sought-after clinician, frequently directing honor choirs and adjudicating festivals and other events.
Composer:
Dr. Jackson Thomas is actively writing commissions for groups of all levels. Recordings of his works are available on the Recordings, or on this YouTube playlist.
For scores, email Jackson, or purchase them through his artist page on MusicSpoke.com. If you have an idea for new piece, he would love to hear from you!
Vocalist:
Well-versed in classical and musical theatre styles, Jackson (a tenor) has enjoyed singing leading roles in musicals and operas, performing as a recitalist and oratorio singer, as well as singing for ensembles and various events. (Recordings coming soon!) He also maintains a private voice studio in Kansas City. Please reach out for availability.
Education/Research:
D.M.A in Choral Conducting, University of Kansas
- Conducting: Dr. Eduardo Garcia-Novelli
- Composition: Dr. Ingrid Stölzel
M.M. in Choral Conducting, University of Kansas
- Conducting: Dr. Paul Tucker; Dr. Marianna Farrah
- Voice: Joyce Castle
B.A. Voice, German minor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Kansas in Vocal Performance
- Conducting: Dr. Peter Eklund; Dr. Therees Tkach Hibbard
- Voice: Dr. John Gruett; Dr. Kevin Hanrahan
As a presenter and researcher, Jackson’s focus has remained centered on the topics of new music, composer-conductor collaboration, inclusivity in the choral classroom, and the analysis and pedagogy of minimalist techniques for the voice.
Jackson C. Thomas 