About David

​Musical Skills: 

Teacher / Private Music Instructor

​Orchestra / Band Director

Choral Conductor

Music Production / Audio & Video

Worship Planning / Worship Leader

Piano / Keyboards / Saxophone

Vocal Soloist

Accompanist

Arranger / Orchestrator

Adjudicator / Clinician / Consultant

Music Technology Expert (PC|Mac adept)
     (Finale, Pro Tools, Logic Pro X) 



Additional Skills: 

Public Speaking

Extensive Supervisory Experience, ability to handle Multiple Priorities, Deadlines and Diverse Personalities

Refined Verbal & Written Communication

Strong Organizational, Planning, Time Management and Problem Solving

Computer Related:
- PC Repair, Build, Setup & Tech Support
- Network Administrator
- Website Design & Management
​
"...there's no single way to teach ...you figure out, in each case, how to best explain what you are thinking to the students."      - Seiji Ozawa, Conductor, Boston Symphony Orchestra

David Thomas is a native of the Jacksonville, Florida area (Callahan) where he grew up listening to and singing all genres of music. His undergraduate studies included work at Florida State College at Jacksonville, the University of North Florida, and William Carey University. He recently completed his Master of Music in Music Education at The University of Florida where he worked closely with Dr. William Bauer, author of Music Learning Today: Digital Pedagogy for Creating, Performing, and Responding to Music.

He has been teaching music as a professional musician and conductor for 37 years, and is equally comfortable in front of 100 voice choirs, hired orchestras, marching bands, or in his private studio, where he has taught piano, saxophone and voice. Recently he brought his 'real world' knowledge into the Music Lab of Discovery High School in Lawrenceville, GA, where he teaches Music Technology and Class Piano and consistently has over 300 students requesting his courses each year. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at DHS, he is an instructor and part of the staff of the Grayson High School Marching Band, as well as Music Director at First Baptist Church in Grayson where he has lived for the last 21 years. 

During his years as a professional church musician, his responsibilities have covered a wide array of activities, such as:
  • Worship Leader
  • Choir Director
  • Orchestra Director
  • Arranger and Orchestrator
  • Church Administrator
  • Producer
Through the years he has served as Music Director / Conductor for National and International Music & Creative Arts events. In April of 2020 he was featured in Our Town magazine in an article titled, “Reaching Students with the Power of Music”. More recently he presented "Exploring Hip-Hop Music through Technology-Based Culturally Responsive Pedagogies" at the NAfME National Conference in 2021 and will also present three sessions at the 2023 GMEA (Georgia Music Educators Association) annual In-Service Conference. His work as an arranger, conductor, and producer (including weekly live television broadcasts) in rural, urban, as well as inner-city environments has uniquely prepared him for his current teaching assignment, where he thrives in a diverse student population.

He considers himself a freelance musician and prior to his position at Discovery, he regularly substituted in Band, Orchestra, Chorus, and Theater, as well as Advanced Music Technology. He is a studio quality pianist and vocalist, and was Assistant Musical Director for the Grayson High School Theatre Department's 2018 Spring Musical, The Sound of Music, and has also served as a vocal coach and consultant for other theatrical presentations. David is a frequent guest conductor for both Band and Orchestra at GHS, having also served as adjudicator/clinician prior to LGPE (Large Group Performance Evaluation) performances.

He resides in Grayson, Georgia, and enjoys spending time with his three grown children, and four grandchildren!

David's MIDI work space while at Truth Tabernacle of Praise.

Experience:
Gwinnett County Public Schools - Gwinnett County, GA
     Music Teacher, Discovery High School (Lawrenceville), 2018 to present
     Substitute Teacher, Fine Arts Specialist, 2017
Grayson High School Band - Grayson, GA
     Woodwind Instructor, 2016 to present
First Baptist Church - Grayson, GA
     Minister of Music, 2018 to present
Truth Tabernacle of Praise - Atlanta, GA (Stone Mountain)
     Worship Pastor / Administrator / Founder, 2005 to 2017
Rehoboth Baptist Church - Atlanta, GA (Tucker)
     Associate Pastor - Worship, 2002 to 2004
Mabel White Memorial Baptist Church - Macon, GA
     Associate Pastor, Minister of Music and Worship, 1997 to 2002
First Baptist Church - Callahan, FL
     Music and Worship Pastor, 1985 to 1997