Myles Thomas

     Myles Thomas (b.2000) is an African-American percussionist, educator and composer from Roanoke, Virginia. He received his Bachelors in Music Education from Radford University in 2022 and is currently attending the University of Tennessee where he is studying for his Masters degree in Percussion Performance.

As an educator, Myles has a vast range of experience. He has taught marching percussion since 2018 as a drumline instructor at Blacksburg High School, Christiansburg combined indoor percussion as the front ensemble coordinator, Radford High School as the co-percussion director, Liberty University Indoor Drumline as the Bass Drum Technician and Patrick Henry High School in 2020 as the drumline arranger and in 2024 as an assistant marching band director. During this time Myles has also taught private lessons for classical and marching percussion as well as elementary school music at Belle Heth and McHarg Elementary school.

Myles has performed as a soloist and member of many ensembles. As a soloist, he performs many works for solo percussion including his own compositions in clinics and solo shows across Virginia. Myles has participated in many ensembles including, Radford Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Appalachia Southeastern-Wind Symphony, and Liberty University Indoor Drumline, Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, University of Tennessee Percussion Ensemble. He had the great opportunity to perform with many well established musicians such as Kana Omori, Mathew Colley, Doug Perkins, Sandbox Percussion and the Metropolis Ensemble.

Myles has composed works for percussion inspired by many influences and genres such as Neo-soul, jazz fusion, contemporary, and classical music. He has been commissioned by many percussionists across the United States and his works have been premiered by William Newton, Ian Epperly, Annika Blackburn, and Radford University. His works can be found on Wildlight Publications.

Myles proudly endorses Artifact Percussion.