Biography

Dr. Thomas Taylor Dickey is a conductor and educator whose work is marked by energy, musical depth, and a deep commitment to connecting people through orchestral music. Thomas’s conducting career has taken him around the world, leading performances with professional orchestras across North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Bucharest Symphony, Shenyang Symphony, Danube Symphony Orchestra, Belgrade Chamber Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, and many others. Equally at home in the educational sphere, he has conducted all-state and honors orchestras in more than 35 U.S. states, inspiring young musicians with his enthusiasm and clarity on the podium.

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A passionate advocate for musical excellence, Thomas has been recognized with several international awards, including the Gold Prize at the 2022 World Classical Music Awards and Second Prize at the 2019 Mozart & Tchaikovsky International Conducting Competition. Critics have described his work as “dynamic and exciting” and praised his performances as being “imbued with aplomb, energy, and pathos.” Thomas has held faculty and conducting appointments at several universities in the Midwest, South, and Pacific Northwest, shaping the next generation of conductors and orchestral musicians. His academic journey began at Eastern Illinois University, continued with a master’s at LSU, and culminated in a DMA in orchestral conducting from the University of Georgia. Whether on the podium, in rehearsal, or working one-on-one with students, Thomas is guided by a core belief: that orchestral music is a powerful tool for expression, learning, and human connection.