Thomas Wilkins (conductor)

Thomas Wilkins (born c.1956) is an orchestra conductor. He is the music director of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and family and youth concerts conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Early life and education

Wilkins was born in Norfolk, Virginia and grew up in a housing project, the son of a single mother and welfare recipient. His inspiration to become an orchestra conductor came from a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" he attended when he was eight years old.

Wilkins received a bachelor's degree in music education from the Shenandoah Conservatory in 1978, and a master of music degree in orchestral conducting from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1982.

Teaching and conducting

Wilkins has taught at North Park University, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

He worked as assistant director of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. He also worked as resident director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Florida Orchestra.

Wilkins became music director of the Omaha Symphony in 2005, and family and youth concert conductor of the Boston Symphony in 2011.