Thomas Swenson

Nationally Certified Teacher of Music Thomas Swenson teaches keyboard skills in the School of Music. Swenson has distinguished himself as a national leader in the field of piano pedagogy through publications, leadership positions, presentations, workshops, performances and the achievements of his students.   

Credentials

• Chaired the piano department and directed the accelerated program at the Music Academy of North Carolina
• Former President of the North Carolina Music Teachers Association
• Former Director of the Center for Musical Excellence and Assistant Professor of Music at Salem College 
• Former faculty at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• Served for nearly 20 years as the piano instructor for the UNC Greensboro Summer Music Camp
• Taught a Recreational Music Making course to adults traveling throughout the world, as part of the Creative Learning Institute for Crystal Cruise Lines
• “Master Teacher” at the Music Academy of North Carolina
• Regular contributor to “Piano Magazine”
• Founder of a social media community focused on Collegiate Group Piano
• Serves on the Board of Directors for the Music Teachers National Association as Southern Division Director (2022-2024)

Career Highlights

• Author of "Not Just Big Kids!: Motivations, Preferences, Backgrounds and Attitudes of Adult Piano Students," available in five languages
• Presented sessions at the MTNA National Conference, Music Educators National Conference, the World Music Symposium and at numerous state and local conferences and workshops

Awards, Recognitions & Honors

• North Carolina Music Teachers Association Teacher of the Year Award, 2020
• Music Teachers National Association Foundation Fellow, 2015
• Recipient of an “Outstanding Service Recognition Award” from the Frances Clark Center (2023)

Organizations

• Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
• National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy Committee on Teaching Adults
• Past Board of Directors for the Eastern Music Festival (Greensboro, NC)