It鈥檚 been a busy semester for flute teacher. In addition to her full-time teaching duties, her musical talents are in great demand when Broadway shows tour New England鈥攑erforming this fall at the Providence Performing Arts Center with the cast of 鈥淲icked” and 鈥淭he King and I.鈥� Combine that with monthly concerts as principal flutist for the Rhode Island Philharmonic and solo and group performances with a variety of other ensembles, and it鈥檚 easy to see how she has become a master at juggling her calendar.
Thomas says that her active performing schedule contributes significantly to her teaching success. 鈥淎n important part of being a music teacher is having your students see you do what you鈥檙e telling them to do. They can come peer into the orchestra pit and see me down there. It makes the lessons I鈥檓 teaching them richer.鈥�
As the coordinator of technology needs in the , Thomas also ensures that every music student prepares a digital portfolio that may include audio clips of their best performances, video of their senior recital, and other important files.
鈥淣ot only does it demonstrate what they鈥檝e done as undergraduates, but it also helps them put their toes in the water of marketing themselves,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the beginning of their entrepreneurial presence as they move forward into their career.鈥�
Thomas acknowledges that although not all music students pursue music as a career, music will always be a part of their lives. 鈥淚 want to show them the balance between what pays your bills and where your heart might be. It鈥檚 a balancing act for all of us, and it鈥檚 important they see that it can work.鈥�