​teacher bio

Thomas Camilo is a clarinetist from Jacksonville, North Carolina. He has been playing the clarinet since 2011 when he began his musical journey in his sixth-grade band program. The following year, he moved to Winchester, Virginia, where he continued to foster his love for music, leading up to his beginning lessons with Professor Garrick Zoeter of the Shenandoah Conservatory. While studying with Professor Zoeter, Thomas earned positions with the All Virginia Band and Orchestra, Northern Virginia Youth Winds directed by Denny Stokes, was a finalist in the City of Fairfax Bands Young Artist Competition, and was a recipient of the John Philip Sousa Award in 2018. Thomas went on to study at the University of North Texas, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in General, Choral, and Instrumental Education, as well as his EC-12 Texas Music Certification. While at UNT, Thomas studied with Professor Deb Fabian. He played in several ensembles, including the award-winning NTXV Quintet, several clarinet ensembles, the Scott Clarinet Choir, UNT Wind Studies Ensembles, and the Green Brigade.

Thomas has taught around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He began teaching in 2020 when he was an assistant with the 5A All-State Clarinet Sectional at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Leading up to his graduation from the University of North Texas in 2021, he spent time as a field technician at Coppell High School, taught freelance private lessons, and student-taught at Nelson Middle School and Independence High School in the Frisco Independent School District. Since graduating, Thomas has been a private lessons teacher serving the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, Dallas Independent School District, Krum Independent School District, and Music & Arts - Frisco. Thomas has also taught a number of masterclasses in HEB ISD and has had students in every district audition into their respective region bands.

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Thomas currently serves as a Clarinet Private Teacher in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, an Expert Music Teacher at Music & Arts - Frisco and as the Texas Ambassador for Lisa's Clarinet Shop. He also plays in both the Carrollton Wind Symphony and the Coppell Community Orchestra. 

As a music teacher, Thomas’ philosophy is that teaching should be flexible, following the needs of the student in order for them to reach their goals. Music is not one-size-fits-all and should be treated as such. Thomas’ goal as a teacher is to help nurture his students’ love for music as they grow and develop as young musicians.