CONDUCTORS
Thomas Wilkins
Resident Conductor
As Resident Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins shares his lifelong enthusiasm for music through his energy and commitment to audiences of all ages. He leads the orchestra in many programs, including Classical, Special Events, Pops, Young People's and educational concerts. He is also host of the enjoyable and enlightening "Classical Conversations" series. An advocate for music and education, Wilkins seeks to cultivate a "vibrant, creative imagination" in today's youth, noting: "Successful education is not that which teaches our children how to get a job. Education is a success when we teach our children to love learning."
Earlier this year Wilkins was named Music Director of the Omaha Symphony, a position that begins in the 2005-06 season, but he will remain Resident Conductor of the DSO. Past positions include Resident Conductor of the Florida Orchestra (Tampa) and Associate Conductor of the Richmond (Va.) Symphony, and he has served on the faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
Wilkins also has been featured with many U.S. orchestras including the Dallas Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony, the Oregon Symphony in Portland and the Houston Symphony. He is also a favorite guest conductor for the Baltimore Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the New Jersey Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra.
Wilkins earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in 1978. In 1982, he was awarded a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He was also awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Shenandoah University. Currently, Wilkins serves as Chairman of the Board for the Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund.